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AN    ARABIAN    TALE 


BY 

WILLIAM    BECKFORD. 


WITH 

NOTES,  CRITICAL  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL. 


NEW  YORK : 

JOHN    B.     ALDEN,     PUBLISHER. 

1887. 


MEMOIR. 

BY   WILLIAM  NORTH. 


William  Beckford,  the  author  of  the  fol- 
lowing celebrated  Eastern  tale,  was  born  in 
1760,  and  died  in  the  spring  of  1844,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  It  is  to  be 
regretted,  that  a  man  of  so  remarkable  a  char- 
acter, did  not  leave  the  world  some  record  of 
a  life  offering  points  of  interest  different  from 
that  of  any  of  his  contemporaries,  from  the  pe- 
culiarly studious  retirement  and  eccentric 
avocations  in  which  it  was  chiefly  passed. 
Such  a  memoir  would  have  formed  a  curious 
contrast  with  that  of  the  late  M.  de  Chateau- 
briand, who,  born  nearly  at  the  same  period, 
outlived  but  by  a  few  years  the  strange  Eng- 
lishman, whose  famous  romance  forms  a  bril- 
liant ornament  to  French  literature,  which  even 
"  Atala  "  is  unlikely  to  outlive  in  the  memory 
of  Chateaubriand's  countrymen.  All  men  of 
genius  should  write  autobiographies.  Such 
works  are  inestimable  lessons  to  posterity.  As 
it  is,  there  are  few  men,  of  whom  it  is  more 
difficult  to  compose  an  elaborate  and  detailed 
liistory  than  the  author  of  "  Vathek."  From 
such  scanty  sources  as  are  open  to  us,  the  read- 
er must  be  content  with  a  few  striking  facts 
and  illustrations,  which  may  serve  to  convey 
some  idea  of  the  idiosyncrasy  of  a  man,  whose 
whole  life  was  a  sort  of  mystery,  even  to  his 
personal  acq^uaintances. 


4  MEMOIB. 

His  great-great-grandfather  was  lieutenant- 
governor  and  commander  of  the  forces  in  Ja- 
maica ;  and  his  grandfather  president  of  the 
council  in  the  same  island.  His  father,  though 
not  a  merchant,  as  has  been  represented,  but 
a  large  landed  proprietor,  both  in  England  and 
the  West  Indies,  was  lord  mayor  of  London, 
and  distinguished  himself  in  presenting  an 
address  to  the  king,  George  the  Third, — by  a 
spirited  retort  to  his  majesty,  who  had  the  ill- 
breeding  to  treat  discourteously  a  deputation, 
which  the  lord  mayor  headed.  The  portraits 
of  Alderman  Beckford,  and  his  more  celebrat- 
ed son,  Avere  painted  by  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds. 
The  former  died  in  IT 70,  leaving  the  subject 
of  this  memoir  the  wealthiest  commoner  in 
England. 

No  pains  were  spared  on  the  education  of 
the  young  Croesus — the  lords  Chatham  and 
Camden  being  consulted  by  his  father  on  that 
subject.  Besides  Latin  and  Greek,  he  spoke 
five  modern  languages,  and  wrote  three  with 
facility  and  elegance.  He  read  Persian  and 
Arabic,  designed  with  great  skill,  and  studied 
the  science  of  music  under  the  great  Mozart. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  visited  Paris, 
and  was  introduced  to  Voltaire.  "  On  taking 
leave  of  me,"  said  Beckford,  ''he  placed  his 
hand  on  my  head,  saying,  '  There,  young  Eng- 
lishman, I  give  you  the  blessing  of  a  very  old 
man.'  Voltaire  was  a  mere  skeleton — a  bony 
anatomy.  His  countenance  I  shall  never 
forget." 

His  first  literary  production,  "  Memoirs  of 
Extraordinary  Painters,"  was  written  at  the 
early  age  of  seventeen.  It  would  appear,  that 
the  old  housekeeper,  at  Fonthill,  was  in  the 
habit  of  edifying  visitors  to  its  picture  gallery 
by  a  description  of  the  paintings,  mainly  de- 
rived from  her  own  fertile  imagination.  This 
suggested  to  our  author  the  humorous  idea  of 


MEMOIR,  ij 

composing  a  catalogue  of  supposititious  paint- 
ers, with  histories  of  each,  equally  fanciful  and 
grotesque.  Henceforward,  the  old  housekeep- 
er had  a  printed  guide  (or  rather,  niis-guider) 
to  go  by,  and  could  discourse  at  large  on  the 
merits  of  Og  and  Bashan !  Waterslouchy,  of 
Amsterdam !  and  Herr  Sucrewasser,  of  Vienna ! 
Iheir  wives  and  styles  !  As  for  the  country 
squires,  etc.,  "  they,"  Beckford  tells  us,  "  took 
all  for  gospel." 

"  Vathek,"— the  superb  "Vathek,"  which 
Lord  Bryon  so  much  admired,  and  on  which 
he  so  frequently  complimented  the  author, — 
"  Vathek,"  the  finest  of  Oriental  romances,  as 
"  Lalla  Rookh  "  is  the  first  of  Oriental  poems, 
by  tlie  pen  of  a  "  Frank,"  was  written  and  pub- 
lished before  our  author  had  completed  his 
twentieth  year,  it  having  been  composed  at  a 
single  sitting!  Yes,  for  three  days  and  two 
nights  did  the  indefatigable  author  persevere 
in  his  task.  He  completed  it,  and  a  serious 
illness  was  the  result.  What  other  literar}^ 
man  ever  equalled  this  feat  of  rapidity  and 
genius  ? 

"  Vathek  "  was  originally  written  in  French, 
of  which  its  style  is  a  model.  The  translation 
which  follows,  is  not  by  the  author  himself, 
though  he  expressed  perfect  satisfaction  with 
it.  It  was  originally  published  in  1786.  For 
splendor  of  description,  exquisite  humor,  and 
supernatural  interest  and  grandeur,  it  stands 
without  a  rival  in  romance.  In  as  thoroughly 
Oriental  keeping,  Hope's  "  Anastasius,  or  Me- 
moirs of  a  modern  Greek,"  which  Beckford 
liimself  highly  admired,  can  alone  be  compared 
with  it. 

Much  of  the  description  of  Vathek's  palace, 
and  even  the  renowned  "  Hall  of  Eblis,"  was  af- 
terwards visibly  embodied  in  the  real  Fonthill 
Abbey,  of  which  wonders,  almost  as  fabulous, 
were  at  one  time  reported  and  believed. 


H  MEMOIR, 

Fonthill  Abbey,  which  had  been  destroyed 
by  fire,  and  re-built  during  the  lifetime  of  the 
elder  Beckford,  was  on  account  of  its  bad  site 
demolished,  and  again  re-built  under  the  su- 
perintendence of  our  author  himself,  assisted 
by  James  Wyatt,  Esq.,  the  architect,  with  a 
magnificence  that  excited  the  greatest  attention 
and  wonder  at  the  time.  The  totat  outlay  of 
building  Fonthill,  including  furniture,  articles 
of  virtu,  etc.,  must  have  been  enormous,  not 
much  within  the  million,  as  estimated  by  the 
"  Times."  A  writer  in  the  "  Athenaeum"  men- 
tion £400,000  as  the  sum.  Beckford  informed 
Mr.  Cj^rus  Redding,  the  exact  cost  of  build- 
ing Fonthill  was  £273,000. 

The  distinguishing  architectural  peculiarity 
of  Fonthill  Abbey,  was  a  lofty  tower,  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty  feet  in  height.  This  tower 
was  prominently  shadowed  forth  in  "  Vathek," 
and  shows  how  strong  a  hold  the  idea  had  up- 
on his  mind.  Such  was  his  impatience  to  see 
Fonthill  completed,  that  he  had  the  works  con- 
tinued by  torch-light,  with  relays  of  workmen. 
During  the  progress  of  the  building,  the  tower 
caught  fire,  and  was  partly  destroyed.  The 
owner,  however,  was  present,  and  enjoyed  the 
magnificent  burning  spectacle.  It  was  soon 
restored  ;  but  a  radical  fault  in  laying  the 
foundation:  caused  it  eventually  to  fall  down, 
and  leave  Fonthill  a  ruin  in  the  lifetime  of  its 
founder. 

Not  so  much  his  extravagant  mode  of  life, 
which  is  the  common  notion,  as  the  loss  of  two 
large  estates  in  a  law-suit  (the  value  of  which 
.  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that  fifteen  hun- 
dred slaves  were  upon  them),  induced  our  au- 
thor to  quit  Fonthill,  and  offer  it  and  its  con- 
tents for  public  sale.  There  was  a  general  de- 
sire to  see  the  interior  of  the  palace,  in  which 
its  lord  had  lived  in  a  luxurious  seclusion,  so 
Uttle  admired  by  the  curious  of  the  fashionable 


MEMOIR,  7 

world.  "  He  is  fortunate,"  says  the  "  Times," 
of  1822,  "  who  finds  a  vacant  chair  within 
twenty  miles  of  Fonthill ;  the  solitude  of  a 
private  apartment  is  a  luxury  which  few  can 
hope  for."  .  .  .''  Falstaff  himself  could  not 
take  his  ease  at  this  moment  within  a  dozen 
leagues  of  Fonthill."  ..."  The  beds  through 
the  county  are  (literally) doing  double  duty — 
people  who  come  in  from  a  distance  during  the 
night  must  wait  to  go  to  bed,  until  others  get 
up  in  the  morning."  .  .  .  "Not  a  farm-house, 
however  humble, — not  a  cottage  near  Fonthill, 
but  gives  shelter  to  fashion,  to  beauty,  and 
rank;  ostrich  plumes,  which,  by  their  very 
waving,  we  can  trace  back  to  Piccadilly,  are 
seen  nodding  at  a  casement  window  over  a 
depopulated  poultry-yard." 

The  costly  treasures  of  art  and  virtu,  as  well 
as  the  furniture  of  the  rich  mansion,  were  scat- 
tered far  and  wide  ;  and  one  of  its  tables  served 
the  writer  of  this  memoir  to  scribble  upon, 
when  first  stern  necessity,  or  yet  sterner  am- 
bition, urged  him  to  add  his  mite  to  the  Babel 
tower  of  literature.  At  that  table  I  first  read 
"  Vathek."  I  have  read  it  often  since,  and 
every  perusal  has  increased  my  admiration. 

Nearly  fifty  years  after  the  publication  of 
"Vathek,"  in  1835,  Mr.  Beckford  published 
his  "  Recollections  of  an  Excursion  to  the 
Monasteries  of  Alcobaca  and  Batalha,"  which 
he  had  taken  in  1795,  together  with  an 
epistolary  record  of  his  observations  in  Italy, 
Spain  and  Portugal,  between  the  years  1780 
and  1794.  These  are  marked,  as  he  himself 
intimates,  "  with  the  bloom  and  heyday  of 
youthful  spirits  and  youthful  confidence,  at  a 
period  when  the  older  order  of  things  existed 
with  all  its  picturesque  pomps  and  absurdities  ; 
when  Venice  enjoyed  her  Piombi  and  sub- 
marine dungeons  ;  France,  her  Bastile  ;  the 
peninsula  her  Holy  Inc^uisition."     With  ijon^ 


I  MEMOIR, 

of  those  subjects,  however,  are  the  letters  OC' 
cupied — but  with  delineations  of  landscape, 
and  the  effects  of  natural  phenomena.  These 
literary  efforts  appear  to  have  exhausted  their 
author's  productive  powers ;  in  a  word,  he  seems 
soon  to  have  been  "used-up,"  and  then  to 
have  discontinued  his  search  after  new  sensa- 
tions, or  to  have  been  content  to  live  without 
them. 

After  the  sale  of  Fonthill,  our  author  lived 
a  considerable  time  in  Portugal,  and  hence 
Lord  Byron,  who  was  fond  of  casting  the 
shadow  of  his  own  imaginaxion  over  every  ob- 
ject, penned  the  well-known  lines  atCintra: — 

"  There  thou,  too,  Vathek,  England's  wealthiest  son, 
Once  formed  thy  paradise  ;  as  not  aware 
AVhere  wanton  wealth  her  mightiest  deeds  hath  done, 

Meek  peace,  voluptuous  lures,  was  ever  wont  to  shun. 

Here  didst  thou  dwell  ;  here  scenes  of  pleasure  plan 
Beneath  yon  mountain's  ever  beauteous  brow  ; 
But  now,  as  if  a  thing  unblest  by  man, 
Thy  fairy  dwelling  is  as  lone  as  thou  ! 
Here  giant  weeds  a  passage  scarce  allow 
To  halls  deserted  ;  portals  gaping  wide 
Fresh  lessons  to  the  thinking  bosom  ;  how 
Vain  are  the  pleasaunces  on  earth  supplied, 
Swept  into  wrecks  anon  by  time's  ungentle  tide." 

These  sombre  verses  contrast  strangely  with 
Beckford's  saying  to  Mr.  Cyrus  Redding,  in 
his  seventy-sixth  year,  "  that  he  had  never 
felt  a  moment's  ennui  in  his  life." 

Beckford  was  in  person  scarcely  above  the 
middle  height,  slender,  and  well  formed,  with 
features  indicating  great  intellectual  power. 
He  was  exactly  one  year  younger  than  Pitt, 
the  companion  of  his  minority.  His  political 
principles  were  popular,  though  it  is  recorded, 
that  at  a  court  ball  on  the  Queen's  birthday, 
in  1782,  he,  with  Miss  North,  led  up  a  country 
dance.  He  sat  in  parliament,  in  his  early 
years,  both  for  Wells  and  Hendon,  but  retired 
on  account  of  bad  health.     This,  however,  he 


MEMOIB,  f 

overcame  by  careful  diet  and  exercise,  as  tes- 
tified by  his  great  bodily  activity  almost  to  the 
last.  He  was  a  man  of  most  extensive  reading, 
and  cultivated  taste. 

The  last  years  of  his  life  were  passed  at 
Bath,  where  he  united  two  houses  in  Lansdown 
Crescent,  by  an  arch  thrown  across  the  street 
and  containing  his  library,  which  was  well  se- 
lected, and  very  extensive.  Not  far  off,  he 
again  erected  a  tower,  a  hundred  and  thirty 
feet  high,  of  which  the  following  description 
was  given  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  by  a  cor- 
respondent of  the  '*  Athenseum  :  "— 

"  Mr.  Beckford,  at  an  early  period  of  his  res- 
idence there,  erected  a  lofty  tower,  in  the  apart- 
ments  of   which   were    placed   many   of   his 
choicest  paintings  and  articles  of  virtu.     Asi- 
atic in  its  style,  with  gilded  lattices  and  blinds, 
or  curtains  of  crimson  cloth,  its  striped  ceilings, 
its  minaret,  and  other  accessories,  conveyed 
the  idea  that  the  being  who  designed  the  place 
and  endeavored  to  carry  out  the  plan,  was 
deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  that  lonely 
grandeur  and  strict  solitariness  which  obtains 
through  all  countries  and  among  all  people  of 
the  East.     The  building  was  surrounded  by  a 
high  wall,  and  entrance  afforded  to  the  garden 
in  which  the  tower  stood,  by  a  door  of  small 
dimensions.      The  garden  itself  was  Eastern 
in  its  character.     Though  comparatively  cir- 
cumscribed in  its  size,  nevertheless  were  to  be 
found  within  it  solitary  walks  and  deep  retir- 
ing shades,  such  as  could  be  supposed  Vathek, 
the  mournful  and  the  magnificent,  loved,  and 
from  the  bowers  of  which  might  be  expected 
would  suddenly  fall  upon  the   ear  sounds  of 
the  cymbal  and  the  dulcimer.     The  building 
contained  several    apartments   crowded  with 
the  finest  paintings.     At  the  time  I  made  my 
inspection  the  walls  were  crowded  with  the 
choicest  productions  of  the  easel.    The  mena* 


10  HEMom, 

ory  falls  back  upon  ineffaceable  impressions  of 
Old  Franks,  Breughel,  Cuyp,  Titian  (a  Holy 
Family),  Hondekooter,  Polemberg,  and  a  host 
of  other  painters  whose  works  have  immortal- 
ized Art,  Ornaments  of  the  most  exquisite 
gold  filigree,  carvings  in  ivory  and  wood, 
Raphaelesque  china,  goblets  formed  of  gems, 
others  fashioned  by  the  miraculous  hands  of 
Benvenuto  Cellini,  filled  the  many  cabinets 
and  recherche  receptacles  created  for  such 
things.  The  doors  of  the  rooms  were  of  finely 
polished  wood — the  windows  of  single  sweeps 
of  plate  glass — the  cornices  of  gilded  silver ; 
every  part,  both  within  and  without,  bespeak- 
ing the  wealth,  the  magnificence,  and  the 
taste  of  him  wlio  had  built  this  temple  in  dedi- 
cation to  grandeur,  solitariness,  and  the  arts." 

From  the  summit  of  this  tower,  Mr.  Beck- 
ford —  and  he  alone  without  a  telescope — 
could  behold  that  other  toAver  of  his  youthful 
magnificence,  Fonthill ;  on  which  he  loved  to 
gaze,  with  feelings  which  it  would  be  difficult 
to  describe.  His  eyesight  was  wonderful ;  he 
could  gaze  upon  the  sun  like  an  eagle  ;  and  on 
the  day  that  the  great  tower  at  Fonthill  fell 
he  missed  it  in  the  landscape  long  before  the 
news  of  the  catastrophe  reached  Bath. 

In  conclusion,  we  have  only  to  add,  that  our 
author,  in  his  lifetime  had  all  that  wealth  can 
give,  and  in  his  grave  his  memory  will  retain 
that  which  no  wealth  can  purchase.  What- 
ever may  have  been  his  errors,  they  have 
died  with  him.  His  genius  yet  lives,  and 
''  Vathek,"  now  for  the  first  time  presented  to 
the  public  in  a  popular  form,  will,  whilst  Eng- 
lish literature  lasts,  never  want  readers,  and, 
while  good  taste  flourishes,  admiiers. 


PREFACE. 


The  original  of  the  following  story,  with 
some  others  of  a  similar  kind,  collected  in  the 
East  by  a  man  of  letters,  was  communicated 
to  the  editor  above  three  years  ago.  The 
pleasure  he  received  from  the  perusal  of  it  in- 
duced him  at  that  time  to  transcribe,  and 
since  to  translate  it.  How  far  the  copy  may 
be  a  just  representation  it  becomes  not  him 
to  determine.  He  presumes  however  to  hope 
that  if  the  difficulty  of  accommodating  our 
English  idioms  to  the  Arabic,  preserving  the  cor- 
respondent tones  of  a  diversified  narration,  and 
discriminating  the  nicer  touches  of  character 
through  the  shades  of  foreign  manners  be  duly 
considered,  a  failure  in  some  points  will  not 
preclude  him  from  all  claim  to  indulgence,  es- 
pecially if  those  images,  sentiments,  and  pas> 
sions,  which,  being  independent  of  local  pecul- 
iarities, may  be  expressed  in  every  language, 
shall  be  found  to  retain  their  native  energy  in 
our  own. 


VATHEK. 


Vathek,  ninth  Caliph^  of  the  race  of  the 
Abassides,  was  the  son  of  Motassem,  and  the 
grandson  of  Haroun  Al  Raschid.  From  an 
early  accession  to  the  throne,  and  the  talents 
he  possessed  to  adorn  it,  his  subjects  were  in- 
duced to  expect  that  his  reign  would  be  long 
and  happy.  His  figure  was  pleasing  and 
majestic  ;  but  when  he  was  angry,  one  of  eyes^ 
became  so  terrible  that  no  person  could  bear 
to  behold  it ;  and  the  wretch  upon  whom  it 
was  fixed  instantly  fell  backward,  and  some- 
times expired.  For  fear,  however,  of  depopu- 
lating his  dominions,  and  making  his  palace 
desolate,  he  but  rarely  gave  way  to  his  anger. 

Being  much  addicted  to  women  and  the 
pleasures  of  the  table,  he  sought  by  his  affa- 
bility to  procure  agreeable  companions  ;  and 
he  succeeded  the  better,  as  his  genererosity  was 
unbounded  and  his  indulgences  unrestrained  ; 
for  he  was  by  no  means  scrupulous:  nor  did 
he  think,  with  the  Caliph  Omar  Ben  Abdal- 

^  This  title  amongst  the  Mahometans  comprehends  the 
concrete  character  of  prophet,  priest,  and  king  ;  and  is 
used  to  signify  '*  the  Vicar  of  God  on  earth." — Ilabe.sci''s 
State  of  the  Ottoman  Empire,  p.  9.     Herbelot,  p.  985. 

^Tlie  author  of  "  Nighiaristan  "  hath  preserved  a  fact 
that  supports  this  account  ;  and  there  is  no  history  of 
Vathek  in  which  his  terrible  eye  is  not  mentioned. 


14  V'ATHE^. 

aziz,*  that  it  was  necessary  to  make  a  hell  oi 
this  world  to  enjoy  Paradise  in  the  next. 

He  surpassed  in  magnificence  all  his  prede- 
cessors. The  palace  of  Alkoremmi,  which  his 
father  Motassem  had  erected  on  the  hill  of 
Pied  Horses,  and  which  commanded  the  whole 
city  of  Samarah,  f  was  in  his  idea  far  too  scanty: 
he  added,  therefore,  five  wings,  or  rather  other 
palaces,  which  he  destined  for  the  particular 
gratification  of  each  of  his  senses. 

In  the  first  of  these  were  tables  continually 
covered  with  the  most  exquisite  dainties, 
which  were  supplied  both  by  night  and  by 
day  according  to  their  constant  consumption ; 
whilst  the  most  delicious  wines,  and  the  choic- 
est cordials,  flowed  forth  from  a  hundred  foun- 
tains, that  were  never  exhausted.  This  palace 
was  called  "  The  Eternal,  or  Unsatiating  Ban- 
quet." 

The  second  was  styled  "  The  Temple  of 
Melody,  or  the  Nectar  of  the  Soul.''  It  was 
inhabited  by  the  most  skillful  musicians  and 
admired  poets  of  the  time,  who  not  only  dis- 
played their  talents  within,  but,  dispersing  in 
bands  without,  caused  every  surrounding  scene 
to  reverberate  their  songs,  which  w^ere  contin- 
ually varied  in  the  most  delightful  succession. 

*  This  Caliph  was  eminent,  above  all  others,  for  temper- 
ance and  self-denial ;  insomuch  that  he  is  believed  to  have 
been  raised  to  Mahomet's  bosom,  as  a  reward  for  his  ab- 
stinence in  an  age  of  corruption. — Uerbelot,  p.  690. 

t  A  city  of  the  Babylonian  Irak,  supposed  to  have  stood 
on  the  site  where  Ximrod  erected  his  tower.  Khondemir 
relates,  in  his  life  of  Motassem,  that  this  prince,  to  termi- 
nate the  disputes  which  were  perpetually  happening  be- 
tween the  inhabitants  of  Bagdat  and  his  Turkish  slaves, 
withdrew  from  thence  ;  and,  having  fixed  on  a  situation 
in  the  plain  of  Catoul.  there  founded  Samarah.  He  18 
said  to  have  had  in  the  stables  of  this  city  a  hundred  and 
thirty  thousand  pied  horses  ;  each  of  which  carried,  by 
his  order,  a  sack  of  earth  to  a  place  he  had  chosen.  By 
this  accumulation,  an  elevation  was  formed  that  command- 
ed a  view  of  all  Samarah,  and  served  for  the  foundation 
of  his  magnificent  palace.  Herbelot,  pp.  752,  808,  985.' 
Anecdote  Arabes,  p.  413. 


The  palace  named  '*  The  Delight  of  the  Eyes, 
or  the  Support  of  Memory,"  was  one  entire 
enchantment.  Rarities  collected  from  every 
corner  of  the  earth  were  there  found  in  such 
profusion  as  to  dazzle  and  confound,  but  for 
the  order  in  which  they  were  arranged.  One 
gallery  exhibited  the  pictures  of  the  celebrated 
Mani ;  and  statues  that  seemed  to  be  alive. 
If  ere  a  well-managed  perspective  attracted  the 
sight  ;  there,  the  magic  of  optics  agreeably  de- 
ceived it  ;  whilst  the  naturalist,  on  his  part, 
exhibited  in  their  several  classes  the  various 
gifts  that  heaven  had  bestowed  on  our  globe. 
In  a  word,  Vathek  omitted  nothing  in  this 
particular  that  might  gratify  the  curiosity  of 
those  who  resorted  to  it,  although  he  was  not 
able  to  satisfy  his  own  ;  for  he  was,  of  all  men, 
the  most  curious. 

"  The  Palace  of  Perfumes,"  which  was 
termed  likewise  "  The  Incentive  to  Pleasure," 
consisted  of  various  halls,  where  the  different 
perfumes  which  the  earth  produces  were  kept 
perpetually  burning  in  censers  of  gold.  Flam- 
beaus and  aromatic  lamps  were  here  lighted  in 
open  day  ;  but  the  too  powerful  effects  of  this 
agreeable  delirium  might  be  avoided  by  de- 
scending into  an  immense  garden,  where  an 
assemblage  of  every  fragrant  flower  diffused 
through  the  air  the  purest  odors. 

The  fifth  palace,  denominated  "  The  Retreat 
of  joy,  or  the  Dangerous,"  was  frequented  by 
troops  of  young  females,  beautiful  as  the 
Houris,*  and  not  less  seducing,  who  never 
failed  to  receive  with  caresses  all  whom  the 
Caliph  allowed  to  approach  them ;  for  he  was 

*  The  Virgins  of  Paradise,  called,  from  their  large  black 
eyes,  Hur  al  oyun.  An  intercourse  Avith  these,  according 
to  the  institution  of  Mahomet,  is  to  constitute  the  principal 
felicity  of  the  faithful.  Not  formed  of  clay,  like  mortal 
women,  they  are  deemed  in  the  liighest  degree  beautiful 
and  exempt  from  every  inconvenience  incident  to  the  sex^ 
■—  Al  Koran,  passim. 


ie  VATBBK. 

by  no  means  disposed  to  be  jealous,  as  his  own 
women  were  secluded  within  the  palace  he 
inhabited  himself. 

Notwithstanding  the  sensuality  in  whicli 
Vathek  indulged,  he  experienced  no  abatement 
in  the  love  of  his  people,  who  thought  that  a 
sovereign  immersed  in  pleasure  was  not  less 
tolerable  to  his  subjects  than  one  that  employed 
himself  in  creating  them  foes.  But  the  un- 
quiet and  impetuous  disposition  of  the  Caliph 
would  not  allow  him  to  rest  there  :  he  had 
studied  so  much  for  his  amusement  in  the  life- 
time of  his  father  as  to  acquire  a  great  deal  of 
knowledge,  though  not  a  sufficiency  to  satisfy 
himself;  for  he  wished  to  know  everything; 
even  sciences  that  did  not  exist.  He  was  fond 
of  engaging  in  disputes  with  the  learned,  but 
liked  them  not  to  push  their  opposition  with 
warmth.  He  stopped  the  mouths  of  those  with 
presents,  whose  mouths  could  be  stopped  ; 
whilst  others,  whom  his  liberality  was  unable 
to  subdue,  he  sent  to  prison  to  cool  their  blood  ; 
a  remedy  that  often  succeeded. 

Vathek  discovered  also  a  predilection  for 
theological  controversy  ;  but  it  was  not  with 
the  orthodox  that  he  usually  held.  By  this 
means  he  induced  the  zealots  to  oppose  him 
and  then  persecuted  them  in  return  ;  for  he 
resolved,  at  any  rate,  to  have  reason  on  his 
side. 

The  great  prophet  Mahomet,  whose  vicars 
the  Caliphs  are,  beheld  with  indignation  from 
his  abode  in  the  seventh  heaven  the  irreligious 
conduct  of  such  a  vicegerent. 

"  Let  us  leave  him  to  himself,"  said  he  to 
the  Genii,*  who  are  always  ready  to  receive 

*  Genn  or  Ginn  in  the  Arabic,  signifies  a  Genius  or  De- 
mon— a  being  of  a  higlier  order,  and  formed  of  more  sub- 
tile matter  than  man.  According  to  Oriental  mythology, 
the  Genii  governed  the  world  long  before  the  creation  of 
Adam.     The  Mahometans  regarded  them  as  an  intermedi- 


VATBEK,  17 

his  commands  ;  "  let  us  see  to  what  lengths 
his  folly  and  impiety  will  carry  him  ;  if  he  run 
into  excess  we  shall  know  how  to  chastise  him. 
Assist  him,  therefore,  to  complete  the  tower 
which,  in  imitation  of  Nimrod,  he  hath  begun  ; 
not  like  that  great  warrior,  to  escape  being 
drowned,  but  from  the  insolent  curiosity  of 
penetrating  the  secrets  of  heaven  :  he  will  not 
divine  the  fate  that  awaits  him." 

The  Genii,  obeyed  ;  and  when  the  workmen 
had  raised  their  structure  a  cubit  in  the  day 
time,  two  cubits  more  were  added  in  the  night. 
The  expedition  with  which  the  fabric  arose 
was  not  a  little  flattering  to  the  vanity  of  Va- 
thek.  He  fancied  that  even  insensible  matter 
showed  a  forwardness  to  subserve  his  designs ; 
not  considering  that  the  success  of  the  foolish 
and  wicked  form  the  first  rod  of  their  chastise- 
ment. 

His  pride  arrived  at  its  height  when  having 
ascended,  for  the  first  time,  the  eleven  thou- 
sand stairs  of  his  tower,  he  cast  his  eyes  below 
and  beheld  men  not  larger  than  pismires  ; 
mountains  than  shells  ;  and  cities  than  bee- 
hives. The  idea  which  such  an  elevation  in- 
spired of  his  own  grandeur  completely  bewil- 
dered him  ;  he  was  almost  ready  to  adore  him- 
self ;  till,  lifting  his  eyes  upwards,  he  saw 
the  stars  as  high  above  him  as  they  appeared 
when  he  stood  on  the  surface  of  the  earth.  He 
consoled  himself,  however,  for  this  transient 
perception  of  his  littleness  with  the  thought 
of  being  great  in  the  eyes  of  the  others,  and 
flattered  himself  that  the  light  of  his  mind 
would  extend  beyond  the  reach  of  his  sight, 

ate  race  between  angels  and  men,  and  capable  of  salvation ; 
whence  Mahomet  pretended  a  commission  to  convert  them. 
Consonant  to  this,  we  read  that,  "  When  the  servant  of 
God  stood  lip  to  invoke  him,  it  wanted  little  but  that  the 
Genii  had  pressed  on  him  in  crowds,  to  hear  him  rehearse 
the  Koran." — Ilerbelot,  p.  357.    Al  Korarij  ch.  72, 

2 


18  VATHEK, 

and  transfer  to  the  stars  the  decrees  of  his  des- 
tiny. 

With  this  view  the  inquisitive  prince  passed 
most  of  his  nights  (.n  the  summit  of  his  tower, 
till  he  became  an  adept  in  the  mysteries  of  as- 
trology, and  imagined  that  the  planets  had  dis- 
closed to  him  the  most  marvelous  adventures, 
which  were  to  be  accomplished  by  an  ex- 
traordinary personage,  from  a  country  altogeth- 
er unknown.  Prompted  by  motives  of  curios- 
ity, he  had  always  been  courteous  to  strangers  ; 
but  from  this  instant  he  redoubled  his  atten- 
tion, and  ordered  it  to  be  announced  by  sound 
of  trumpet,  through  all  the  streets  of  Samarah, 
that  no  one  of  his  subjects,  on  peril  of  his  dis- 
pleasure, should  either  lodge  or  detain  a 
traveler,  but  forthwith  bring  him  to  the  palace. 
Not  long  after  this  proclamation,  there  arrived 
in  his  metropolis  a  man  so  hideous  that  the  very 
guards  who  arrested  him  were  forced  to  shut 
their  eyes  as  they  led  him  along.  The  Caliph 
himself  appeared  startled  at  so  horrible  a  vis- 
age ;  but  joy  succeeded  to  this  emotion  of  ter- 
ror when  the  stranger  displayed  to  his  view 
such  rarities  as  he  had  never  before  seen,  and 
of  which  he  had  no  conception. 

In  reality,  nothing  was  ever  so  extraordinary 
as  the  merchandise  this  stranger  poduced. 
Most  of  his  curiosities,  which  were  not  less  ad- 
mirable for  their  workmanship  than  their  splen- 
dor, had,  besides,  their  several  virtues  de- 
scribed on  a  parchment,  fastened  to  each. 
There  were  slippers  which  enabled  the  feet  to 
walk  ;  knives  that  cut  without  the  motion  of 
of  the  hand  ;  sabres  which  dealt  the  blow  at  the 
person  they  were  wished  to  strike  ;  and  the 
whole  enriched  with  gems  that  were  hitherto 
unknown. 

The  sabres,  whose  blades  emitted  a  dazzling 
radiance,  fixed  more  than  all  the  Caliph's  at- 
tention, who  promised  himself  to  decipher  at  his 


VATHEK.  1§ 

leisure  the  uncouth  characters  engraven  on 
their  sides.  Without,  therefore,  demanding 
their  price,  he  ordered  all  the  coined  gold  to 
be  brought  from  his  treasury,  and  commanded 
the  merchant  to  take  what  he  pleased.  The 
stranger  complied  with  modesty  and  silence. 

Vathek,  imagining  that  the  merchant's  taci- 
turnity was  occasioned  by  the  awe  which  his 
presence  inspired,  encouraged  him  to  advance, 
and  asked  him,  witli  an  air  of  condescension, 
"Who  he  was?  whence  he  came?  and  where 
he  obtained  such  beautiful  commodities  ?  " 

The  man,  or  rather  monster,  instead  of  mak- 
ing a  reply,  thrice  rubbed  his  forehead,  which, 
as  well  as  liis  body,  was  blacker  than  ebony ; 
four  times  clapped  his  paunch,  the  projection 
of  which  was  enormous ;  opened  wide  his  huge 
eyes,  which  glowed  like  fire-brands ;  began  to 
laugh  with  a  hideous  noise,  and  discovered  his 
long  amber-colored  teeth  bestreaked  with 
green. 

The  Caliph,  though  a  little  startled,  renew- 
ed his  enquiries,  but  without  being  able  to  pro- 
cure a  reply.  At  which,  beginning  to  be  ruf- 
fled, he  exclaimed,  "  Knowest  thou,  varlet,  who 
I  am?  and  at  whom  thou  art  aiming  thy  gibes  ?  " 
Then  addressing  his  guards,  "  Have  you  heard 
him  speak  ?  is  he  dumb  ?  " 

"  He  hath  spoken,"  they  replied,  "  though 
but  little." 

"  Let  him  speak  then  again,"  said  Vathek, 
"  and  tell  me  wdio  he  is,  from  whence  he  came, 
and  where  he  procured  these  singular  curios- 
ities, or  I  swear  by  the  ass  of  Balaam,  that  I 
will  make  him  rue  his  pertinacity.  " 

This  menace  was  accompanied  by  the  Caliph 
with  one  of  his  angry  and  perilous  glances, 
which  the  stranorer  sustained  without  the  sligfht- 
est  emotion,  although  his  eyes  were  fixed  on 
the  terrible  eye  of  the  prince. 

No  words  can  describe  the  amazement  of  the 


26  VAfHH^. 

courtiers,  when  they  beheld  this  rude  mer- 
cliant  witlistaiid  the  encounter  unshocked. 
They  all  fell  prostrate  with  their  faces  on  the 
ground,  to  avoid  the  risk  of  their  lives,  and 
continued  in  the  same  abject  posture  till  the 
Caliph  exclaimed  in  a  furious  tone  : 

"  Up,  cowards  !  seize  the  miscreant !  see  that 
he  is  committed  to  prison,  and  guarded  by  the 
best  of  my  soldiers !  Let  him  however,  retain 
the  money  I  gave  him  ;  it  is  not  my  intent  to 
take  from  him  his  property  :  I  only  want  him 
to  speak. 

No  sooner  had  he  uttered  these  words  than 
the  stranger  was  surrounded,  pinioned  with 
strong  fetters,  and  hurried  away  to  the  prison 
of  the  great  tower,  which  was  encompassed  by 
seven  empalements  of  iron  bars,  and  armed 
with  spikes  in  every  direction,  longer  and 
sharper  than  spits. 

The  Caliph,  nevertheless,   remained  in  the 
most  violent  agitation.     He  sat  down  indeed 
to   eat,  but  of  the  three  hundred  covers  that 
were  daily  placed  before  him,  could  taste  of  no 
more  than  thirty-two. 

A  diet  to  w^hich  he  had  been  so  little  accus- 
tomed was  sufficient  of  itself  to  prevent  him 
from  sleeping :  what  then  must  be  its  effect 
when  joined  to  the  anxiety  that  preyed  upon 
his  spirits  ?  At  the  first  glimpse  of  dawn  he 
hastened  to  the  prison,  again  to  importune  this 
intractable  stranger  ;  but  the  rage  of  Vathek 
exceeded  all  bounds  on  finding  the  prison 
empty,  the  gates  burst  asunder,  and  his  guards 
lying  lifeless  around  him.  In  the  paroxysm 
of  his  passion  he  fell  furiously  on  the  poor 
carcasses,  and  kicked  them  till  evening  without 
intermission.  His  courtiers  and  viziers  exert- 
ed their  efforts  to  soothe  his  extravagance,  but, 
finding  every  expedient  ineffectual,  they  all 
united  in  one  vociferation  : 

"  The  Caliph  has  gone  mad  !  the  Caliph  is 
out  of  his  senses  1  " 


VATHEK,  21 

This  outcry,  which  was  soon  resounded 
through  the  streets  of  Samarah,  at  length 
reached  the  ears  of  Carathis,  his  mother :  she 
flew  in  the  utmost  consternation  to  try  her 
ascendency  on  the  mind  of  her  son.  Her 
tears  and  caresses  called  off  his  attention  ;  and 
he  was  prevailed  upon  by  her  entreaties  to  be 
brought  back  to  the  palace. 

Carathis,  apprehensive  of  leaving  Vathek  to 
himself,  caused  him  to  be  put  to  bed ;  and 
seating  herself  by  him,  endeavored  by  her 
conversation  to  heal  and  compose  him.  Nor 
could  any  one  have  attempted  it  with  better 
success  ;  for  the  Caliph  not  only  loved  her  as 
a  mother,  but  respected  her  as  a  person  of 
superior  genius.  It  was  she  who  had  induced 
him,  being  a  Greek  herself,  to  adopt  all  the 
sciences  and  systems  of  her  country,  which 
good  Mussulmans  hold  in  such  thorough  abhor- 
rence. 

Judicial  astrology  was  one  of  those  systems 
in  which  Carathis  was  a  perfect  adept.  She 
began,  therefore,  with  reminding  her  son  of 
the  promise  which  the  stars  had  made  him ; 
and  intimated  an  intention  of  consulting  them 
again. 

"  Alas  !  sighed  the  Caliph,  as  soon  as  he 
could  speak,  "  what  a  fool  have  I  been  !  not 
for  the  kicks  bestowed  on  my  guards,  who  so 
tamely  submitted  to  death,  but  for  never  con- 
sidering that  this  extraordinary  man  was  the 
same  the  planets  had  foretold ;  whom,  instead 
of  ill-treating,  I  should  have  conciliated  by  all 
ihe  arts  of  persuasion." 

"  The  past,"  said  Carathis,  *'  cannot  be  re- 
called; but  it  behooves  us  to  think  of  the  fu- 
ture :  perhaps  you  may  again  see  the  object  you 
so  much  regret :  it  is  possible  the  inscriptions 
on  the  sabres  will  afford  information.  Eat, 
therefore,  and  take  thy  repose,  my  dear  son. 
We  will  consider,  to-morrow,  in  what  manner 
to  act," 


22  VATHEK. 

Vathek  yielded  to  her  council  as  well  as  he 
could,  and  arose  in  the  morning  with  a  mind 
more  at  ease.  The  sabres  he  commanded  to 
be  instantly  brought ;  and  poring  upon  them 
through  a  green  glass,  that  their  glittering 
might  not  dazzle,  he  set  himself  in  earnest  to 
decipher  the  inscription,  but  his  reiterated 
attempts  were  all  of  them  nugatory :  in  vain 
did  he  beat  his  head  and  bite  his  nails  ;  not  a 
letter  of  the  whole  was  he  able  to  ascertain. 
So  unlucky  a  disappointment  would  have  un- 
done him  again,  had  not  Carathis,  by  good 
fortune,  entered  the  apartment. 

"Have  patience,  son!"  said  she.  "You 
certainly  are  possessed  of  every  important 
science,  but  the  knowledge  of  languages  is  a 
trifle,  at  best ;  and  the  accomplishment  of  none 
but  a  pedant.  Issue  forth  a  proclamation  that 
you  will  confer  such  rewards  as  become  your 
greatness  upon  any  one  that  shall  interpret 
what  you  do  not  understand,  and  what  it  is 
beneath  you  to  learn.  You  will  soon  find  your 
curiosity  gratified." 

"  That  may  be,"  said  the  Caliph  ;  "  but  in 
the  mean  time  I  shall  be  horrible  disgusted  by 
a  crowd  of  smatterers,  who  will  come  to  the 
trial  as  much  for  the  pleasure  of  retailing  their 
jargon  as  from  the  hope  of  gaining  the  reward. 
To  avoid  this  evil,  it  will  be  proper  to  add  that 
I  will  put  every  candidate  to  death  who  shall 
fail  to  give  satisfaction  ;  for,  thank  Heaven,  I 
have  skill  enough  to  distinguish  between  one 
that  translates  and  one  that  invents." 

"  Of  that  I  have  no  doubt,"  replied  Carathis, 
"but  to  put  the  ignorant  to  death  is  somewhat 
severe,  and  may  be  productive  of  dangerous 
effects.  Content  yourself  with  commanding 
their  beards  to  be  burnt:  beards,  in  a  state, 
are  not  quite  so  essential  as  men." 

The  Caliph  submitted  to  the  reasons  of  his 
mother,  and  sending  for  Morakanabad,  his 
prime  vizier,  said: 


VATHEK.  23 

"  Let  the  common  criers  prociaim,  not  only 
in  Samarah,  but  throughout  every  city  in  my 
empire,  that  whosoever  will  repair  hither,  and 
decipher  certain  characters  which  appear  to  be 
inexplicable,  shall  experience  the  liberality  for 
which  I  am  renowned ;  but  that  all  who  fail 
upon  trial  shall  have  their  beards  burnt  off  to 
the  last  hair.  Let  them  add  also,  that  I  will 
bestow  fifty  beautiful  slaves,  and  as  many  jars 
of  apricots  from  the  isle  of  Kirmith,  upon  any 
man  that  shall  bring  me  intelligence  of  the 
stranger." 

The  subjects  of  the  Caliph,  like  their  sover- 
eign, being  great  admirers  of  women,  and 
apricots  from  Kirmith,  felt  their  mouths  water 
at  these  promises,  but  w^ere  totally  unable  to 
gratify  their  hankering,  for  no  one  knew  which 
way  the  stranger  had  gone. 

As  to  the  Caliph's  other  requisition  the  re- 
sult was  different :  the  learned,  the  half-learned, 
and  those  who  were  neither,  but  fancied  them- 
selves equal  to  both,  came  boldly  to  hazard 
their  beards,  and  all  shamefully  lost  them. 

The  exaction  of  these  forfeitures,  which 
found  sufficient  employment  for  the  eunuchs, 
gave  them  such  a  smell  of  singed  hair  as  great- 
ly to  disgust  the  ladies  of  the  seraglio,  and 
make  it  necessary  that  this  new  occupation  of 
their  guardians  should  be  transferred  into 
other  hands. 

At  length,  however,  an  old  man  presented 
himself,  whose  beard  was  a  cubit-and-a-half 
longer  than  any  that  had  appeared  before  him. 
The  officers  of  the  palace  whispered  to  each 
other,  as  they  ushered  him  in : 

"  What  a  pity  such  a  beard  should  be  burnt !  " 

Even  the  Caliph,  when  he  saw  it,  concurred 
with  them  in  opinion  ;  but  his  concern  was 
entirely  needless.  This  venerable  personage 
read  the  characters  with  facility,  and  explained 
them  verbatim,  as  follows  : 


24  VATHEK, 

"  We  were  made  where  everything  good  is 
made  ;  we  are  the  least  of  the  wonders  of  a 
place  where  all  is  wonderful;  and  deserving 
the  sight  of  the  first  potentate  on  earth." 

''  You  translate  admirably  !  "  cried  Vathek. 
"  I  know  to  what  these  marvellous  characters 
allude.  Let  him  receive  as  many  robes  af 
honor,  and  thousands  of  sequins  of  gold,  as 
he  hath  spoken  words.  I  am  in  some  measure 
relieved  from  the  perplexity  that  embarrassed 
me  I" 

Vathek  invited  the  old  man  to  dine,  and 
even  to  remain  some  days  in  the  palace.  Un- 
luckily for  him,  he  accepted  the  offer  ;  for  the 
Caliph  having  ordered  him  next  morning  to  be 
called,  said : 

"  Read  again  to  me  what  you  have  read  al- 
ready; I  cannot  hear  too  often  the  promise 
that  is  made  me,  the  completion  of  which  I 
languish  to  obtain." 

The  old  man  forthwith  put  on  his  green 
spectacles  ;  but  they  instantly  dropped  from 
his  nose,  on  perceiving  that  the  characters  lie 
had  read  the  day  preceding,  had  given  place  to 
others  of  different  import. 

"  What  ails  you  ?  "  asked  the  Caliph  ;  "  and 
why  these  symptoms  of  wonder  ?  " 

"Sovereign  of  the  world,"  replied  the  old 
man,  "  these  sabres  hold  another  language  to- 
day, from  that  they  yesterday  held." 

''  How  say  you?  "  returned  Vathek.  "  But 
it  matters  not !  tell  me,  if  you  can,  what  they 
mean." 

"  It  is  this,  my  lord,"  rejoined  the  old  man  : 
"  Woe  to  the  rash  mortal  who  seeks  to  know 
that  of  which  he  should  remain  ignorant :  and 
to  undertake  that  which  surpasseth  his  power  !  " 

"  And  woe  to  thee  !  "  cried  the  Caliph,  in  a 
burst  of  indignation  :  "  to-day  thou  art  void 
of  understanding  :  begone  from  my  presence  ; 
they  shall  burn  but  the  half  of  thy  beard  be- 


VATHEK,  25 

cause  thou  wert  yesterday  fortunate  in  guess- 
ing.    My  gifts  I  never  resume." 

The  old  man,  wise  enough  to  perceive  he 
had  luckily  escaped,  considering  the  folly  of 
disclosing  so  disgusting  a  truth,  immediately 
withdrew,  and  appeared  not  again. 

But  it  was  not  long  before  Vathek  discovered 
abundant  reason  to  regret  his  precipitation  ; 
for  though  he  could  not  decipher  the  characters 
himself,  yet,  by  constantly  poring  upon  them, 
he  plainly  perceived  that  they  every  day 
changed  ;  and  unfortunately  no  other  candi- 
date offered  to  explain  them.  This  perplexing 
occupation  inflamed  his  blood,  dazzled  his 
sight,  and  brought  on  a  giddiness  and  debility 
that  he  could  not  support.  He  failed  not,  how- 
ever, though  in  so  reduced  a  condition,  to  be 
often  carried  to  his  tower,  as  he  flattered  him- 
self that  he  might  there  read  in  the  stars, 
which  he  went  to  consult,  something  more 
congruous  to  his  wishes.  But  in  this  his  hopes 
were  deluded  ;  for  his  eyes,  dimmed  by  the 
vapors  of  his  head,  began  to  subserve  his  curi- 
osity so  ill,  that  he  beheld  nothing  but  a  thick 
dun  cloud,  which  he  took  for  the  most  direful 
of  omens. 

Agitated  with  so  much  anxiety,  Vathek  en- 
tirely lost  all  firmness  :  a  fever  seized  him  and 
his  appetite  failed.  Instead  of  being  one  of 
the  greatest  eaters,  he  became  as  distinguished 
for  drinking.  So  insatiable  was  the  thirst  which 
tormented  him,  that  his  mouth,  like  a  funnel, 
Avas  always  open  to  receive  the  various  liquors 
that  might  be  poured  into  it  ;  and  especially 
cold  water,  which  calmed  him  more  than  every 
other 

This  unhappy  prince,  being  thus  incapaci- 
tated for  the  enjoyment  of  any  pleasure,  com- 
manded the  palaces  of  the  five  senses  to  be 
shut  up  ;  forebore  to  appear  in  public,  either 
to  display  magnificence  or  administer  justice  5 


26  VATHEK. 

and  retired  to  the  inmost  apartment  of  his 
harem.  As  he  had  ever  been  an  indulgent 
husband,  his  Avives,  overwhelmed  with  grief 
at  his  deplorable  situation,  incessantly  offered 
their  prayers  for  his  health,  and  unremittingly 
supplied  him  with  water. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Princess  Carathis, 
whose  affliction  no  words  can  describe,  in- 
stead of  restraining  herself  to  sobbing  and 
tears,  was  closeted  tlaily  with  the  Vizier  Mora- 
kanabad,  to  find  out  some  cure  or  mitigation 
of  the  Caliph's  disease.  Under  the  persuasion 
that  it  was  caused  by  enchantment,  they  turned 
over  together,  leaf  by  leaf,  all  the  books  of 
magic  that  might  point  out  a  remedy  ;  and 
caused  the  horrible  stranger  whom  the  ac- 
cused as  the  enchanter,  to  be  everywhere 
sought  for  with  the  strictest  diligence. 

At  the  distance  of  a  few  miles  from  Samarah 
stood  a  high  mountain,  Avliose  sides  were 
swarded  with  wild  th3'me  and  basil,  and  its 
summit  overspread  with  so  delightful  a  plain 
that  it  might  be  taken  for  the  Paradise  des- 
tined for  the  faithful.  Upon  it  grew  a  hun- 
dred thickets  of  eglantine  and  other  fragrant 
shrubs  ;  a  hundred  arbors  of  roses,  jessamine, 
and  honeysuckle  ;  as  many  clumps  of  orange 
trees,  cedar,  and  citron  ;  whose  branches,  in- 
terwoven with  the  palm,  the  pomegranate,  and 
the  vine,  presented  every  luxury  that  could 
regale  the  eye  or  the  taste.  The  ground  was 
strewed  with  violets,  harebells,  and  pansies  ; 
in  the  midst  of  which  sprung  forth  tufts  of 
jonquils,  hyacinths,  and  carnations,  with  every 
other  perfume  that  impregnates  the  air.  Four 
fountains,  not  less  clear  and  deep,  and  so 
abundant  as  to  slake  the  thirst  of  ten  armies, 
seemed  purposely  placed  here  to  make  the 
scene  more  resemble  the  garden  of  Eden,  which 
was  watered  by  tlic  four  sacred  rivers.  Here 
the  nightingale  sang  the  birth  of  the  rose,  her 


VATHEK,  2T 

well-beloved,  and  at  the  same  time  lamented 
its  short-lived  beauty  ;  whilst  the  turtle  de- 
plored the  loss  of  more  substantial  pleasures, 
and  the  wakeful  lark  hailed  the  rising  light 
that  reanimates  the  whole  creation.  Here, 
more  than  anywhere,  the  mingled  melodies  of 
birds  expressed  the  various  passions  they  in- 
spired ;  as  if  the  exquisite  fruits,  which  they 
pecked  at  pleasure,  had  given  them  a  double 
energy.' 

.  To  this  mountain  Vathek  was  sometimes 
brought,  for  the  sake  of  breathing  a  purer  air; 
and  especially  to  drink  at  will  of  the  four 
fountains,  which  were  reputed  in  the  highest 
degree  salubrious,  and  sacred  to  himself.  His 
attendants  were  his  mother,  his  wives,  and 
some  eunuchs,  who  assiduously  employed 
themselves  in  filling  capacious  bowls  of  rock 
crystal,  and  emulously  presenting  them  to  him.^ 
But  it  frequently  happened  that  his  avidity 
exceeded  their  zeal ;  insomuch  that  he  would 
prostrate  himself  upon  the  ground  to  lap  up 
tlie  water,  of  which  he  could  never  have  enough. 

One  day  when  this  unhappy  prince  had  been 
long  lying  in  so  debasing  a  posture,  a  voice, 
hoarse  but  strong,  thus  addressed  him : 

"  Why  assumest  thou  the  function  of  a  dog, 
O  Caliph,  so  proud  of  thy  dignity  and  power?  " 
_  At  this  apostrophe  he  raised  up  his  head  and 
beheld  the  stranger  who  had  caused  him  so 
much  affliction.  Inflamed  with  anger  at  the 
sight,  he  exclaimed, — 

"  Accursed  Giaour !  *  what  comest  thou 
hither  to  do  ?  is  it  not  enough  to  have  trans- 
formed a  prince,  remarkable  for  his  agility,  in- 
to one  of  those  leather  barrels  which  the 
Bedouin  Arabs  carry  on   their  camels  when 

*  Dives  of  this  kind  are  frequently  mentioned  by  East'? 
eru  writers.  Cpnsiilt  their  tales  in  general,  and  especially 
those  of  ^  The  Fisherman,"  "Aladdin/'  and  The  Erin- 
cess  of  China."  .         .  .  ...,'. 


2S.  VATEEK. 

they  traverse  the  deserts  ?  Perceivest  thou 
not  that  I  may  perish  by  drinking  to  excess,  no 
less  than  by  a  total  abstinence  ?  " 

"  Drink,  then,  this  draught,"  said  the  stran- 
ger, as  he  presented  to  him  a  vial  of  a  red  and 
yellow  mixture  ;  "  and  to  satiate  the  thirst  of 
thy  soul  as  well  as  of  thy  body,  know  that 
I  am  an  Indian,  but  from  a  region  of  India 
which  is  wholly  unknown." 

The  Caliph,  delighted  to  see  his  desires  ac- 
complished in  part,  and  flattering  himself  with 
the  hope  of  obtaining  their  entire  fulfillment, 
without  a  moment's  hesitation  swallowed  the 
potion,  and  instantaneously  found  his  health 
restored,  his  thirst  appeased,  and  his  limbs  as 
agile  as  ever. 

In  the  transports  of  his  joy,  Vathek  leaped 
upon  the  neck  of  the  frightful  Indian,  and 
kissed  his  horrid  mouth  and  hollow  cheeks,  as 
though  they  had  been  the  coral  lips  and  the 
lilies  and  roses  of  his  most  beautiful  wives  ; 
whilst  they,  less  terrified  than  jealous  at  the 
sight,  dropped  their  veils  to  hide  the  blush  of 
mortification  that  suffused  their  foreheads. 

Nor  would  the  scene  have  closed  here,  had 
not  Carathis,  with  all  the  art  of  insinuation,  a 
little  repressed  the  raptures  of  her  son.  Hav- 
ing prevailed  upon  him  to  return  to  Samarah 
she  caused  a  herald  to  precede  him,  whom  she 
commanded  to  proclaim  as  loudly  as  possible  : 

"  The  wonderful  stranger  hath  appeared 
again  ;  he  hath  healed  the  Caliph  ;  he  hath 
spoken  !  he  hath  spoken  !  " 

Forthwith  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  vast 
city  quitted  their  habitations,  and  ran  together 
in  crowds  to  see  the  procession  of  Yathek  and 
the  Indian,  whom  they  now  blessed  as  much 
as  they  had  before  execrated,  incessantly 
shouting, — 

"  He  hath  healed  our  sovereign  ;  he  hath 
spoken  !  he  hath  spoken  I  " 


.  VATBEK,  29 

Nor  were  these  words  forgotten  in  the  pub- 
lic festivals,  which  were  celebrated  the  same 
evening  to  testify  the  general  joy,  for  the  poets 
applied  them  as  a  chorus  to  all  the  songs  they 
composed. 

The  Caliph,  in  the  mean  while,  caused  the 
palaces  of  the  senses  to  be  again  set  open,  and 
as  he  found  himself  prompted  to  visit  that  of 
taste,  in  preference  to  the  rest,  immediately 
ordered  a  splendid  entertainment,  to  which  his 
great  officers  and  favorite  courtiers  were  all  in- 
vited. The  Indian,  who  was  placed  near  the 
prince,  seemed  to  think  that  as  a  proper  ac- 
knowledgment of  so  distinguished  a  privilege, 
he  could  neither  eat,  drink,  nor  talk  too  much. 
The  various  dainties  were  no  sooner  served  up 
than  they  vanished,  to  the  great  mortifica- 
tion of  Vathek,  who  piqued  himself  on  being 
the  greatest  eater  alive,  and  at  this  time  in 
particular  had  an  excellent  appetite. 

The  rest  of  the  company  looked  round  at 
each  other  in  amazement,  but  the  Indian,  with- 
out appearing  to  observe  it,  quaffed  large 
bumpers  to  the  health  of  each  of  them  :  sung  in 
a  style  altogether  extravagant ;  related  stories 
at  which  he  laughed  immoderately  ;  and  poured 
forth  extemporaneous  verses  which  would  not 
have  been  thought  bad,  but  for  the  strange 
grimaces  with  wliich  they  were  uttered.  In  a 
word,  his  loquacity  was  equal  to  that  of  a  hun- 
dred astrologers  ;  he  ate  as  much  as  a  hundred 
porters,  and  caroused  in  proportion. 

The  Caliph,  notwithstanding  the  table  had 
been  thirty  times  covered,  found  himself  in- 
commoded by  the  voraciousness  of  his  guest, 
who  was  now  considerably  declined  in  the 
prince's  esteem.  Vathek,  however,  being  un- 
willing to  betray  the  chagrin  he  could  hardly 
disguise,  said  in  a  whisper  to  Bababalouk,  * 
the  chief  of  his  eunuchs  : 

*  As  it  was  the  employment  of  the  black  eunuchs  to 


30  VATHEK, 

"  You  see  how  enormous  his  performances  in 
every  way  are ;  what  woukl  be  the  consequence 
should  he  get  at  my  wives  ?  Go  !  redouble 
your  vigilance,  and  be  sure  look  well  to  my 
Circassians,  who  would  be  more  to  his  taste 
than  all  of  the  rest." 

The  bird  of  the  morning  had  thrice  renewed 
his  song,  when  the  hour  of  the  divan*  sound- 
ed. Vathek,  in  gratitude  to  his  subjects,  hav- 
ing promised  to  attend,  immediately  arose  from 
table,  and  repaired  thither  leaning  upon  his 
vizier,  who  could  scarcely  support  him,  so  dis- 
ordered was  the  poor  prince  by  the  wine  he 
had  drank,  and  still  more  by  the  extravagant 
vagaries  of  his  boisterous  guest. 

The  viziers,  the  officers  of  the  crown,  and  of 
the  law,  arranged  themselves  in  a  semi-circle 
about  their  sovereign,  and  preserved  a  respect- 
ful silence,  whilst  the  Indian,  who  looked  as 
cool  as  if  come  from  a  fast,  sat  down  without 
ceremony  on  a  step  of  the  throne,  laughing  in 
his  sleeve  at  the  indignation  with  which  his 
temerity  had  filled  the  spectators. 

The  Caliph,  however,  whose  ideas  were  con- 
fused and  his  head  embarrassed,  went  on  ad- 
ministering justice  at  hap-hazard,  till  at  length 
the  prime  vizier.f  perceiving  his  situation,  hit 
U23on  a  sudden  expedient  to  interrupt  the  audi- 
ence, and  rescue  the  honor  of  his  master,  to 
whom  he  said  in  a  whisper  : 

"  My  lord,  the  princess  Carathis,  who  hath 
passed  the  night  in  consulting  the  planets,  in- 
forms you  that  they  portend  you  evil ;  and  the 

wait  upon,  and  guard  the  sultanas,  so  tlie  general  superin- 
tendence of  the  harem  was  particularly  committed  to  their 
chief. — Ilabeseis  State  of  the  Ottoman  F.iiiplre,  pp.  155,156. . 

*  This  was  both  the  supreme  council,  and  court  of  jus- 
tice, at  which  the  Caliphs  of  the  race  of  the  Abassides  as- 
sisted in  person  to  redress  the  injuries  of  every  appellant. 
—Herbelot,  p.  298. 

t  Yazir,  Vezir,  or,  as  we  express  it.  Vizier,  literally  sig- 
nifies "  a  porter,"  and,  by  metaphor,  the  minister  who 
bears  the  principal  burden  of  the  state. 


VATBEK.  31 

danger  is  urgent.  Beware,  lest  this  stranger, 
whom  you  have  so  hxvishly  recompensed  for 
liis  magical  gewgaws,  should  make  some  at- 
tempt on  your  life :  his  liquor,  which  at  first 
had  the  appearance  of  effecting  your  cure,  may 
be  no  more  than  a  poison  of  a  sudden  opera- 
tion, flight  not  this  surmise  ;  ask  him,  at  least, 
of  what  it  was  compounded ;  whence  he  pro- 
cured it ;  and  mention  the  sabres,  which  you 
seem  to  have  forgotten." 

Vathek,  to  whom  the  insolent  airs  of  the 
stranger  became  every  moment  less  support- 
able, intimated  to  his  vizier,  by  a  wink  of  ac- 
quiescence, that  he  would  adopt  his  advice, 
and  at  once,  turning  towards  the  Indian, 
said  : 

"  Get  up,  and  declare  in  full  divan  of  what 
drugs  the  liquor  was  compounded  you  enjoined 
me  to  take,  for  it  is  suspected  to  be  poison  ; 
add  also  the  explanation  I  have  so  earnestly 
desired  concerning  the  sabres  3^ou  sold  me, 
and  thus  show  your  gratitude  for  the  favors 
heaped  on  you." 

Having  pronounced  these  words  in  as  mod- 
erate a  tone  as  a  Caliph  well  could,  he  waited 
in  silent  expectation  for  an  answer ;  but  the 
Indian,  still  keeping  his  seat,  began  to  renew 
his  loud  shouts  of  laughter,  and  exhibit  the 
same  horrid  grimaces  he  had  shown  them  be- 
fore, without  vouchsafing  a  word  in  reply. 
Vathek,  no  longer  able  to  brook  such  insolence, 
immediately  kicked  him  from  the  steps,  in- 
stantly descending  repeated  his  blow,  and  per- 
sisted with  such  assiduity,  as  incited  all  who 
were  present  to  follow  his  example.  Every 
foot  was  aimed  at  the  Indian,  and  no  sooner 
had  any  one  given  him  a  kick  than  he  felt  him- 
self constrained  to  reiterate  the  stroke. 

The  stranger  afforded  them  no  small  enter- 
tainment; for  being  both  short  and  plump,  he 
collected  himself  into  a  ball  and  rolled  round 


§2  VAm^K. 

on  all  sides  at  the  blows  of  his  assailants,  who 
pressed  after  him  wherever  he  turned,  with  an 
eagerness  beyond  conception,  whilst  their 
numbers  were  every  moment  increasing.  The 
ball,  indeed,  in  passing  from  one  apartment  to 
another,  drew  every  person  after  it  that  came 
in  its  way,  insomuch  that  the  whole  palace  was 
thrown  into  confusion,  and  resounded  with  a 
tremendous  clamor.  The  women  of  the  ha- 
rem, amazed  at  the  uproar,  flew  to  their  blinds 
to  discover  the  cause,  but  no  sooner  did  they 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  ball  than,  feeling  them- 
selves unable  to  refrain,  they  broke  from  the 
clutches  of  their  eunuchs,  who,  to  stop  their 
flight  pinched  them  till  they  bled,  but  in  vain ; 
whilst  themselves,  though  trembling  with  ter- 
ror at  the  escape  of  their  charge,  were  as  in- 
capable of  resisting  the  attraction. 

The  Indian,  after  having  traversed  the  halls, 
galleries,  chambers,  kitchens,  gardens  and 
stables  of  the  palace,  at  last  took  his  course 
through  the  courts,  whilst  the  Caliph,  pursuing 
liim  closer  than  the  rest,  bestowed  as  many 
kicks  as  he  possibly  could,  yet  not  without 
receiving  now  and  then  one,  which  his  compe- 
titors, in  their  eagerness,  designed  for  the 
ball. 

Carathis,  Morakanabad,  and  two  or  three 
old  viziers  whose  wisdom  had  hitherto  with- 
stood the  attraction,  wishing  to  prevent  Va- 
thek  from  exposing  himself  in  the  presence  of 
his  subjects,  fell  down  in  his  way  to  impede 
the  pursuit,  but  he,  regardless  of  their  obstruc- 
tion, leaped  over  their  heads,  and  went  on  as 
before.  They  then  ordered  the  muezins  to 
call  the  people  to  prayers,  both  for  the  sake  of 
getting  them  out  of  the  way,  and  of  endeavor- 
ing by  their  petitions  to  avert  the  calamity  ; 
but  neither  of  these  expedients  was  a  whit 
more  successful.  The  sight  of  this  fatal  ball 
was  alone  sufficient  to   draw   after   it   every 


'VATHEK.  33 

iDeiiokler.  The  muezins  themselves,  though 
they  saw  it  but  at  a  distance,  hastened  down 
from  their  minarets  and  mixed  with  the  crowd, 
which  continued  to  increase  in  so  surprising  a 
manner,  that  scarce  an  inhabitant  was  left  in 
Samarah,  except  the  aged,  the  sick  confined  to 
their  beds,  and  infants  at  the  breast,  whose 
nurses  could  run  more  nimbly  without  them. 
Even  Carathis,  Morakanabad,  and  the  rest, 
were  all  become  of  the  party. 

The  shrill  screams  of  the  females  who  had 
broken  from  their  apartments,  and  were  un- 
able to  extricate  themselves  from  the  pressure 
of  the  crowd,  together  with  those  of  the 
eunuchs  jostling  after  them,  terrified  lest  their 
charge  should  escape  from  their  sight,  increased 
by  the  execrations  of  husbands  urging  for- 
ward and  menacing  both,  kicks  given  and 
received,  stumblings  and  overthrows  at  every 
step,  in  a  word,  the  confusion  that  universally 
prevailed,  rendered  Samarah  like  a  city  taken 
by  storm,  and  devoted  to  absolute  plunder. 

At  last  the  cursed  Indian,  who  still  pre- 
served his  rotundity  of  figure,  after  passing 
through  all  the  streets  and  public  places,  and 
leaving  them  empty,  rolled  onwards  to  the 
plain  of  Catoul,  and  traversed  the  valley  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountain  of  the  four  foun- 
tains. 

As  a  continual  fall  of  water  had  excavated 
an  immense  gulf  in  the  valley,  whose  opposite 
side  was  closed  in  by  a  steep  acclivity,  the  Ca- 
liph and  his  attendants  were  apprehensive  lest 
the  ball  should  bound  into  the  chasm,  and,  to 
prevent  it,  redoubled  their  efforts,  but  in  vain. 
The  Indian  persevered  in  his  onward  direction, 
and  as  had  been  apprehended,  glancing  from 
the  precipice  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning, 
was  lost  in  the  gulf  below. 

Vathek  would  have  followed  the  perfidious 
Giaour,  had  not  an  invisible   agency  arrested 


34  VATHEK. 

his  progress.  The  multitude  that  pressed  after 
him  were  at  once  checked  in  the  same  manner, 
and  a  calm  instantaneously  ensued.  They  all 
gazed  at  each  other  with  an  air  of  astonish- 
ment ;  and  notwithstanding  that  the  loss  of 
veils  and  turbans,  together  with  torn  habits, 
and  dust  blended  with  sweat,  presented  a  most 
laughable  spectacle,  there  was  not  one  smile 
to  be  seen ;  on  the  contrary,  all  with  looks  of 
confusion  and  sadness  returned  in  silence  to 
Samarah,  and  retired  to  their  inmost  apart- 
ments, without  ever  reflecting  that  they  had 
been  impelled  by  an  invisible  power  into  the 
extravagance  for  which  they  reproached  them- 
selves :  for  it  is  but  just,  that  men  who  so  often 
arrogate  to  their  own  merit  the  good  of  which 
they  are  but  instruments,  should  attribute  to 
themselves  the  absurdities  which  they  could 
not  prevent. 

The  Caliph  was  the  only  person  that  refused 
to  leave  the  valley.  He  commanded  his  tents 
to  be  pitched  there,  and  stationed  himself  on 
the  very  edge  of  the  precipice,  in  spite  of  the 
representations  of  Carathis  and  Morakanabad, 
who  pointed  out  the  hazard  of  its  brink  giving 
way,  and  the  vicinity  to  the  magician  that  had 
so  severely  tormented  him.  Vathek  derided 
all  their  remonstrances ;  and  having  ordered 
a  thousand  flambeaus  to  be  lighted,  and 
directed  his  attendants  to  proceed  in  lighting 
more,  lay  down  on  the  slippery  margin,  and 
attempted,  by  the  help  of  this  artificial  splen- 
dor, to  look  through  that  gloom  which  all  the 
fires  of  the  empyrean  had  been  insufficient  to 
pervade.  One  while  he  fancied  to  himself 
voices  arising  from  the  depth  of  the  gulf,  at 
another  he  seemed  to  distinguish  the  accents 
of  the  Indian ;  but  all  was  no  more  than  the 
hollow  murmur  of  waters,  and  the  din  of  the 
cataracts  that  rushed  from  steep  to  steep, 
down  the  sides  of  the  mountain. 


VATBEK.  35 

Having  passed  the  night  in  this  cruel  pei** 
turbation,  the  Caliph  at  day-break  retired  to 
his  tent,  where,  without  taking  the  least  sus* 
tenance,  he  continued  to  doze  till  the  dusk  of 
evening  began  to  come  on  ;  he  then  resumed 
liis  vigils  as  before,  and  persevered  in  observ- 
ing them  for  many  nights  together.  At  length, 
fatigued  with  so  successless  an  employment, 
he  sought  relief  from  change.  To  this  end  be 
sometimes  paced  with  hasty  strides  across  the 
plain ;  and,  as  he  wildly  gazed  at  the  stars, 
reproached  them  with  having  deceived  him  ; 
but  lo !  on  a  sudden  the  clear  blue  sky  ap- 
peared streaked  over  with  streams  of  blood, 
which  reached  from  the  valley  even  to  the  city 
of  Samarah.  As  this  awful  phenomenon 
seemed  to  touch  his  tower,  Yathek  at  first 
thought  of  repairing  thither  to  view  it  more 
distinctly,  but  feeling  himself  unable  to  ad- 
vance, and  being  overcome  with  apprehension, 
he  muffled  up  his  face  in  his  robe. 

Terrifying  as  these  prodigies  were,  this  im- 
pression upon  him  was  no  more  than  momen- 
tary, and  served  only  to  stimulate  his  love  of 
the  marvellous.  Instead,  therefore,  of  return- 
ing to  his  palace,  he  persisted  in  the  resolu- 
tion of  abiding  where  the  Indian  vanished  from 
his  view.  One  night,  however,  while  he  was 
walking  as  usual  on  the  plain,  the  moon  and 
the  stars  at  once  were  eclipsed,  and  a  total 
darkness  ensued.  The  earth  trembled  beneath 
him,  and  a  voice  came  forth,  the  voice  of  the 
Giaour,  who,  in  accents  more  sonorous  than 
thunder,  thus  addressed  him: 

"  Would'st  thou  devote  thyself  to  me  ?  adore, 
then,  the  terrestrial  influences,  and  abjure 
Mahomet.  On  these  conditions  I  will  bring 
thee  to  the  palace  of  subterranean  fire  :  there 
shalt  thou  behold,  in  immense  depositories,  the 
treasures  which  the  stars  have  promised  thee, 
and  which  will  be  conferred  by  those  intelli- 


3(3  VATBEK, 

gences  whom  thou  shalt  thus  render  propi- 
tious. It  was  from  thence  I  brought  my 
sabres;  and  it  is  there  that  Soliman  Ben 
Daoud  reposes,  surrounded  by  the  talismans 
that  control  the  world." 

The  astonished  Caliph  trembled  as  he  an- 
swered, yet  in  a  style  that  showed  him.  to  be 
no  novice  in  preternatural  adventures : 

*'  Where  art  thou  ?  Be  present  to  ni}^  eyes ; 
dissipate  the  gloom  that  23erplexes  me,  and  of 
which  I  deem  thee  the  cause.  After  the  many 
flambeaus  I  have  burnt  to  discover  thee,  thou 
mayest  at  least  grant  a  glimpse  of  thy  horrible 
visage." 

"  Abjure  then  Mahomet,"  replied  the  Indian, 
"  and  promise  me  full  proofs  of  thy  sincerity ; 
otherwise  thou  shalt  never  behold  me  again." 

The  unhappy  Caliph,  instigated  by  insatia- 
ble curiosity,  lavished  his  promises  in  the 
utmost  profusion.  The  sky  immediately  bright- 
ened ;  and  by  the  light  of  the  planets,  which 
seemed  almost  to  blaze,  Yathek  beheld  the 
earth  open,  and  at  the  extremity  of  a  vast 
black  chasm,  a  portal  of  ebony,  before  which 
stood  the  Indian,  still  blacker,  holding  in  his 
hand  a  golden  key,  that  caused  the  lock  to 
resound. 

"How,"  cried  Yathek,  can  I  descend  to 
thee,  without  the  certainty  of  breaking  my 
neck  ?  Come  take  me,  and  instantly  open  the 
portal." 

"  Not  so  fast,"  replied  the  Indian,  "  impa- 
tient Caliph  !  Know  that  I  am  j^arched  with 
thirst,  and  cannot  open  this  door  till  my  thirst 
be  thoroughly  appeased.  I  require  the  blood 
of  fifty  of  the  most  beautiful  sons  of  thy 
viziers  and  great  men,  or  neither  can  my  thirst 
nor  thy  curiosity  be  satisfied.  Return  to  Sa- 
marah  ;  procure  for  me  this  necessary  libation  ; 
come  back  hither;  throw  it  thyself  into  this 
chasm ;  and  then  shalt  thou  see  1 " 


VATEEK.  Zi 

Having  thus  spoken,  the  Indian  turned  his 
back  on  the  Caliph,  who,  incited  by  the  sug- 
gestion of  demons,  resolved  on  the  direful 
sacrifice.  He  now  pretended  to  have  regained 
his  tranquillity,  and  set  out  for  Samarah 
amidst  the  acclamations  of  a  people  who  still 
loved  him,  and  forebore  not  to  rejoice  when 
they  believed  him  to  have  recovered  his  reason. 
So  successfully  did  he  conceal  the  emotion  of 
his  heart,  that  even  Carathis  and  Morakanabad 
were  equally  deceived  with  the  rest.  Nothing 
was  heard  of  but  festivals  and  rejoicings.  The 
ball,  which  no  tongue  had  hitherto  ventured 
to  mention,  was  again  brought  on  the  tapis. 
A  general  laugh  went  round  ;  though  many, 
still  smarting  under  the  hands  of  the  surgeon, 
from  the  hurts  received  in  that  memorable  ad- 
venture, had  no  great  reason  for  mirth. 

The  prevalence  of  this  gay  humor  was  not  a 
little  grateful  to  Vathek,  as  perceiving  how 
much  it  conduced  to  his  project.  He  put  on 
the  appearance  of  affability  to  every  one ;  but 
especially  to  his  viziers,  and  the  grandees  of 
his  court,  whom  he  failed  not  to  regale  with  a 
sumptuous  banquet,  during  which  he  insensi- 
bly inclined  the  conversation  to  the  children 
of  his  guests.  Having  asked  with  a  good- 
natured  air,  who  of  them  were  blessed  with 
the  handsomest  boys,  every  father  at  once  as- 
serted the  pretensions  of  his  own  ;  and  the  con- 
test imperceptibly  grew  so  warm,  that  nothing 
could  have  withholden  them  from  coming  to 
blows  but  their  profound  reverence  for  the 
person  of  the  Caliph.  Under  the  pretense, 
therefore,  of  reconciling  the  disputants,  Vathek 
took  upon  him  to  decide  ;  and  with  this  view 
commanded  the  boys  to  be  brought. 

It  was  not  long  before  a  troop  of  these  poor 
children  made  their  appearance,  all  equipped 
by  their  fond  mothers  with  such  ornaments  as 
might  give  the  greatest  relief  to  their  beauty, 


38  VATHEK, 

or  most  advantageously  display  the  graces  of 
their  age.  But  whilst  this  brilliant  assemblage 
attracted  the  eyes  and  hearts  of  every  one  be- 
sides, the  Caliph  scrutinized  each  in  his  turn 
with  a  malignant  avidity  that  passed  for  atten- 
tion, and  selected  from  their  number  the  fifty 
whom  he  judged  the  Giaour  would  prefer. 

With  an  equal  show  of  kindness  as  before, 
he  proposed  to  celebrate  a  festival  on  the  plain, 
for  the  entertainment  of  his  young  favorites, 
who,  he  said,  ought  to  rejoice  still  more  than 
all  at  the  restoration  of  his  health,  on  account 
of  the  favors  he  intended  for  them. 

The  Caliph's  proposal  was  received  with  the 
greatest  delight,  and  soon  published  through 
Samarah.  Litters,  camels,  and  horses  were 
prepared.  Women  and  children,  old  men  and 
young — every  one  placed  himself  in  the  station 
he  chose.  The  cavalcade  set  forward,  attended 
by  all  the  confectioners  in  the  city  and  its  pre- 
cincts. The  populace,  following  on  foot, 
composed  an  amazing  crowd,  and  occasioned 
no  little  noise.  All  was  joy ;  nor  did  any  one 
call  to  mind  what  most  of  them  had  suffered 
when  they  first  traveled  the  road  they  were 
now  passing  so  gayly. 

The  evening  was  serene,  the  air  refreshing, 
the  sky  clear,  and  the  flowers  exhaled  their 
fragrance.  The  beams  of  the  declining  sun, 
whose  mild  splendor  reposed  on  the  summit 
of  the  mountain,  shed  a  glow  of  ruddy  light 
over  its  green  declivity,  and  the  white  flocks 
sporting  upon  it.  No  sounds  were  audible, 
save  the  inurmurs  of  the  four  fountains,  and 
the  reeds  and  voices  of  shepherds,  calling  to 
each  other  from  different  eminences. 

The  lovely  innocents,  proceeding  to  the  des- 
tined sacrifice,  added  not  a  little  to  the  hilarity 
of  the  scene.  They  approached  the  plain  full 
of  sportiveness ;  some  coursing  butterflies, 
others  culling  flowers,  or  picking  up  the  shin- 


VATHEK.  39 

ing  little  pebbles  that  attracted  their  notice. 
At  intervals,  they  nimbly  started  from  each 
other,  for  the  sake  of  being  caught  again,  and 
mutually  imparting  a  thousand  caresses. 

The  direful  chasm,  at  whose  bottom  the 
portal  of  ebony  was  placed,  began  to  appear  at 
a  distance.  It  looked  like  a  black  streak  that 
divided  the  plain.  Morakanabad  and  his  com- 
panions took  it  for  some  work  which  the  Caliph 
had  ordered.  Unhappy  men  !  little  did  they 
surmise  for  what  it  was  destined. 

Vathek,  not  liking  that  they  should  ex- 
amine it  too  nearly,  stopped  the  procession, 
and  ordered  a  spacious  circle  to  be  formed  on 
this  side  ,  at  some  distance  from  the  accursed 
chasm.  The  body-guard  of  eunuchs  was  de- 
tached, to  measure  out  the  lists  intended  for 
the  games,  and  prepare  ringlets  for  the  lines 
to  keep  off  the  crowd.  The  fifty  competitors 
were  soon  stripped,  and  presented  to  the  admi- 
ration of  the  spectators  the  suppleness  and 
grace  of  their  delicate  limbs.  Their  eyes 
sparkled  with  a  joy  which  those  of  their  fond 
parents  reflected.  Every  one  offered  wishes 
for  the  little  candidate  nearest  his  heart,  and 
doubted  not  of  his  being  victorious.  A  breath- 
less suspense  awaited  the  contest  of  these 
amiable  and  innocent  victims. 

The  Caliph,  availing  himself  of  the  first 
moment  to  retire  from  the  crowd,  advanced 
towards  the  chasm,  and  there  heard,  yet  not 
without  shuddering,  the  voice  of  the  Indian  ; 
who,  gnashing  his  teeth,  eagerly  demanded  : 

"  Where  are  they  ?  Where  are  they  ?  per- 
ceivest  thou  not  how  my  mouth  waters  ?  " 

"  Relentless  Giaour  !  "  answered  Vathek, 
with  emotion,  can  nothing  content  thee  but 
the  massacre  of  these  lovely  victims  ?  Ah ! 
wert  thou  to  behold  their  beauty,  it  must 
certainly  move  thy  conpassion. " 
."Perdition  on  thy  compassion,  babbler  T'. 


40  VATHEK. 

cried  the  Indian.  "  Give  them  me !  instantly 
give  them,  or  my  portal  shall  be  closed  against 
thee  forever ! " 

"  Not  so  loudly,"  replied  the  Caliph,  blush- 
ing. 

"  I  understand  thee,"  returned  the  Giaour, 
with  the  grin  of  an  ogre ;  "  thou  wantest  to 
summon  up  more  presence  of  mind.  I  will 
for  a  moment  forbear." 

During  this  exquisite  dialogue,  the  games 
went  forward  with  all  alacrity,  and  at  length 
concluded,  just  as  the  twilight  began  to  over- 
cast the  mountains,  Vathek,  who  was  still 
standing  on  the  edge  of  the  chasm,  called  out 
with  all  his  might : 

"  Let  my  fifty  little  favorites  approach  me, 
separately ;  and  let  them  come  in  the  order 
of  their  success.  To  the  first  I  will  give  my 
diamond  bracelet ;  to  the  second  my  collar  of 
emeralds ;  to  the  third  my  aigret  of  rubies ; 
to  the  fourth  my  girdle  of  topazes ;  and  to  the 
rest,  each  a  part  of  my  dress,  even  down  to  my 
slippers." 

This  declaration  was  received  with  reiterated 
acclamations ;  and  all  extolled  the  liberality 
of  a  prince  who  would  thus  strip  himself  for 
the  amusement  of  his  subjects  and  the  encour- 
agement of  the  rising  generation. 

The  Caliph  in  the  mean  while  undressed  him- 
self by  degrees ;  and  raising  his  arm  as  high  as 
he  was  able,  made  each  of  the  prizes  glitter  in 
the  air ;  but,  whilst  he  delivered  it  with  one 
hand  to  the  child,  who  sprang  forward  to  re- 
ceive it,  he  with  the  other  pushed  the  poor  in- 
nocent into  the  gulf,  where  the  Giaour,  with  a 
sullen  muttering,  incessantly  repeated  "More ! 
more ! " 

This  dreadful  device  was  executed  with  so 
much  dexterity,  that  the  boy,  who  was  ap- 
proaching him,  remained  unconscious  of  the 
fate  of  Ms  forermmeii  and  as  to  the  spec- 


VATHEK.  41 

tators,  the  shades  of  evening,  together  with 
their  distance,  precluded  them  from  perceiving 
any  object  distinctly.  Vathek,  having  in  this 
manner  thrown  in  the  last  of  the  fifty,  and  ex- 
pecting that  the  Giaour  on  receiving  him  would 
have  presented  the  key,  already  fancied  him- 
self as  great  as  Soliman,  and  consequently 
above  being  amenable  for  what  he  had  done  ; 
Avhen,  to  his  utter  amazement,  the  chasm 
closed,  and  the  ground  became  as  entire  as  the 
rest  of  the  plain. 

No  language  could  express  his  rage  and 
despair.  He  execrated  the  perfidy  of  the  In- 
dian ;  loaded  him  with  the  most  infamous  in- 
vectives ;  and  stamped  with  his  foot  as  resolv- 
ing to  be  heard.  He  persisted  in  this  demeanor 
till  his  strength  failed  him,  and  then  fell  on  the 
earth  like  one  void  of  sense.  His  viziers  and 
grandees,  Avho  were  nearer  than  the  rest,  sup- 
posed him  at  first  to  be  sitting  on  the  grass  at 
play  with  their  amiable  children ;  but  at  length, 
prompted  by  doubt,  they  advanced  towards  the 
spot,  and  found  the  Caliph  alone,  who  wildly 
demanded  what  they  wanted. 

"  Our  children  !  our  children  !  "  cried  they. 

"  It  is  assuredly  pleasant,"  said  he,  "  to  make 
me  accountable  for  accidents.  Your  children, 
while  at  pla}^  fell  from  the  precipice  that  was 
here  ;  and  I  should  have  experienced  their 
fate  had  I  not  been  saved  by  a  sudden  start 
back." 

At  these  words,  the  fathers  of  the  fifty  boys 
cried  out  aloud :  the  mothers  repeated  their 
exclamations  an  octave  higher ;  whilst  the  rest, 
without  knowing  the  cause,  soon  drowned  the 
voices  of  both,  with  still  louder  lamentations 
of  their  own. 

"  Our  Caliph,"  said  they,  and  the  report  soon 
circulated,  ''our  Caliph  has  played  us  this 
trick,  to  gratify  his  accursed  Giaour.  Let  us 
punish  him  for  his  perfidy !  let  us  avenge  our- 


42  VATHEK. 

selves !  let  us  avenge  the  blood  of  the  inno- 
cent !  let  us  throw  this  cruel  prince  into  the 
gulf  that  is  near,  and  let  his  name  be  men- 
tioned no  more  ! " 

At  this  rumor,  and  these  menaces,  Carathis, 
full  of  consternation,  hastened  to  Morakana- 
bad,  and  said ; 

"  Vizier,  you  have  lost  two  beautiful  boys, 
and  must  necessarily  be  the  most  afflicted  of 
fathers  ;  but  you  are  virtuous  ;  save  your  mas- 
ter !  " 

"  I  will  brave  every  hazard,"  replied  the 
vizier,  "  to  rescue  him  from  his  present  dan- 
ger ;  but  afterwards  will  abandon  him  to  his 
fate.  Bababalouk,"  continued  he,  "  put  your- 
self at  the  head  of  your  eunuchs,  disperse  the 
mob,  and  if  possible  bring  back  this  unhappy 
prince  to  his  palace." 

Bababalouk  and  his  fraternity,  felicitating 
each  other  in  a  low  voice  on  their  disability  of 
ever  being  fathers,  obeyed  the  mandate  of  the 
vizier  ;  who,  seconding  their  exertions  to  the 
utmost  of  his  power,  at  length  accomplished 
his  generous  enterprise,  and  retired,  as  he  re- 
solved, to  lament  at  his  leisure. 

No  sooner  had  tlie  Caliph  re-entered  his 
palace,  than  (carathis  commanded  the  doors  to 
be  fastened ;  but  perceiving  the  tumult  to  be 
still  violent,  and  hearing  the  imprecations 
which  resounded  from  all  quarters,  sSie  said  to 
her  son  : 

"  Whether  the  populace  be  right  or  wrong, 
it  behooves  you  to  provide  for  your  safety :  let 
us  retire  to  your  own  apartment,  and  from 
thence,  through  the  subterranean  passage 
known  only  to  ourselves,  into  your  tower ; 
there,  with  the  assistance  of  the  mutes  who 
never  leave  it,  we  may  be  able  to  make  some 
resistance.  Bababalouk,  supposing  us  to  be 
still  in  the  palace,  will  guard  its  avenues  for 
his  own  sake  :  and  we  shall  soon  find,  without 


VATHEK.  43 

the  counsels  of  that  blubberer,  Morakanabad, 
what  expedient  may  be  the  best  to  adopt." 

Vathek,  without  making  the  least  reply,  ac- 
quiesced in  his  mother's  proposal,  and  repeated 
as  he  went : 

"  Nefarious  Giaour  !  where  art  thou  ?  hast 
thou  not  yet  devoured  those  poor  children  ? 
where  are  thy  sabres  ?  thy  golden  key  ?  thy 
talismans  ?  " 

Carathis,  who  guessed  from  those  interroga- 
tions a  part  of  the  truth,  had  no  difficulty  to 
apprehend  in  getting  at  the  whole,  as  soon  as 
he  should  be  a  little  composed  in  his  tower. 
This  princess  was  so  far  from  being  influenced 
by  scruples  that  she  was  as  wicked  as  woman 
could  be,  which  is  not  saying  a  little,  for  the 
sex  pique  themselves  on  their  superiority  in 
every  competition.  The  recital  of  the  Caliph 
therefore  occasioned  neither  terror  nor  sur- 
prise to  his  mother  ;  she  felt  no  emotion  but 
from  the  promises  of  the  Giaour ;  and  said  to 
her  son  : 

"  This  Giaour,  it  must  be  confessed,  is  some- 
what sanguinary  in  his  taste,  but  the  terres- 
trial powers  are  always  terrible  ;  nevertheless, 
what  the  one  has  promised  and  the  others  can 
confer,  will  prove  a  sufficient  indemnification. 
No  crimes  should  be  thought  too  dear  for  such 
a  reward.  Forbear  then  to  revile  the  Indian  : 
you  have  not  fulfilled  the  conditions  to  which 
his  services  are  annexed.  For  instance,  is  not 
a  sacrifice  to  the  subterranean  Genii  required? 
and  should  we  not  be  prepared  to  offer  it  as 
soon  as  the  tumult  is  subsided  ?  This  charge 
I  will  take  on  myself,  and  have  no  doubt  of 
succeeding  by  means  of  your  treasures  ;  which, 
as  there  are  now  so  many  others  in  store,  may 
without  fear  be  exhausted." 

Accordingly,  the  princess,  who  possessed 
the  most  consummate  skill  in  the  art  of  per- 
suasion, went  immediately  back  through  the 


44  VATHEK. 

subterranean  passage,  and,  presenting  herself 
to  the  populace  from  a  window  of  the  palace, 
began  to  harangue  them  with  all  the  address 
of  which  she  was  mistress,  whilst  Bababalouk 
showered  money  from  both  hands  amongst  the 
crowd,  who  by  these  united  means  were  soon 
appeased.  Every  person  retired  to  his  home, 
and  Carathis  returned  to  the  tower. 

Prayer  at  break  of  day  was  announced,  when 
Carathis  and  Yathek  ascended  the  steps  which 
led  to  the  summit  of  the  tower,  where  they  re- 
mained for  some  time,  though  the  weather  was 
lowering  and  wet.  This  impending  gloom 
corresponded  with  their  malignant  disposi- 
tions ;  but  when  the  sun  began  to  break 
through  the  clouds,  they  ordered  a  pavilion  to 
be  raised  as  a  screen  from  the  intrusion  of  his 
beams.  The  Caliph,  overcome  with  fatigue, 
sought  refreshment  from  repose,  at  the  same 
time  hoping  that  significant  dreams  might  at- 
tend on  his  slumbers  ;  whilst  the  indefatigable 
Carathis,  followed  by  a  party  of  her  mutes, 
descended  to  prepare  whatever  she  judged 
proper  for  the  oblation  of  the  approaching 
night. 

By  secret  stairs,  known  only  to  herself  and 
her  son,  she  first  repaired  to  the  mysterious 
recesses  in  which  were  deposited  the  mummies 
that  had  been  brought  from  the  catacombs  of 
the  ancient  Pharaohs.  Of  these  she  ordered 
several  to  be  taken.  From  thence  she  resorted 
to  a  gallery,  where,  under  the  guard  of  fifty 
female  negroes,  mute,  and  blind  of  the  right 
eye,  were  preserved  the  oil  of  the  most  venom- 
ous serpents,  rhinoceros'  horns,  and  woods  of 
a  subtile  and  penetrating  odor,  procured  from 
the  interior  of  the  Indies,  together,  with  a 
thousand  other  horrible  rarities.  This  collec- 
tion had  been  formed  for  a  purpose  like  the 
present,  by  Carathis  herself,  from  a  presenti- 
ment that  she  might  one  day  enjoy  some  inter- 


VAT^EK.  45 

Coiti-se  with  the  infernal  powers,  to  whom  she 
had  ever  been  passionately  attached,  and  to 
whose  taste  she  was  no  stranger. 

To  familiarize  herself  the  better  with  the 
horrors  in  view,  the  princess  remained  in  the 
company  of  her  negresses,  who  squinted  in 
the  most  amiable  manner  from  the  only  eye 
they  had,  and  leered  with  exquisite  delight  at 
the  skulls  and  skeletons  which  Carathis  had 
drawn  forth  from  her  cabinets,  whose  key  she 
intrusted  to  no  one  ;  all  of  them  making  con- 
tortions, and  uttering  a  frightful  jargon,  but 
very  amusing  to  the  princess  ;  till  at  last,  being 
stunned  by  their  gibbering,  and  suffocated  by 
the  potency  of  their  exhalations,  she  was  forced 
to  quit  the  gallery,  after  stripping  it  of  a  part 
of  its  treasures. 

Whilst  she  was  thus  occupied,  the  Caliph, 
who,  instead  of  the  visions  he  expected,  had 
acquired  in  these  unsubstantial  regions  a  vora- 
cious appetite,  was  greatly  provoked  at  the 
negresses ;  for,  having  totally  forgotten  their 
deafness,  he  had  impatiently  asked  them  for 
food;  and  seeing  them  regardless  of  his  de- 
mand, he  began  to  cuff,  pinch,  and  push  them, 
till  Carathis  arrived  to  terminate  a  scene  so 
indecent,  to  the  great  content  of  these  misera- 
ble creatures,  who,  having  been  brought  up  by 
her,  understood  all  her  signs,  and  communi- 
cated in  the  same  way  their  thoughts  in  return. 

"  Son  !  what  means  all  this?"  said  she,  pant- 
ing for  breath.  "  I  thought  I  heard,  as  I  came 
up,  the  shrieks  of  a  thousand  bats,  tearing 
from  their  crannies  in  the  recesses  of  a  cavern, 
and  it  was  the  outcry  only  of  these  poor  mutes, 
whom  you  were  so  unmercifully  abusing.  In 
truth  you  but  ill  deserve  the  admirable  pro- 
vision I  have  brought  you." 

"  Give  it  me  instantly  !  "  exclaimed  the  Ca- 
liph :  "  I  am  perishing  for  hunger  !  " 

"  As  to  that,"  answered   she,  "  you   must 


46  YATBEK, 

have  an  excellent  stomach  if  it  can  digest  what 
I  have  been  preparing." 

"  Be  quick,"  replied  the  Caliph.  "  But  oh, 
heavens !  what  horrors !  What  do  you  in- 
tend ?  " 

"  Come,  come,*'  returned  Carathis,  "  be  not 
so  squeamish,  but  help  me  to  arrange  every- 
thing properly,  and  you  shall  see  that  what  you 
reject  with  such  symptoms  of  disgust  will  soon 
complete  your  felicity.  Let  us  get  ready  the 
pile  for  the  sacrifice  of  to-night,  and  think  not 
of  eating  till  that  is  performed.  Know  you 
not  that  all  solemn  rites  are  preceded  by  a  rig- 
orous abstinence  ?  " 

The  Caliph,  not  daring  to  object,  abandoned 
himself  to  grief,  and  the  wind  that  ravaged  his 
entrails,  whilst  his  mother  went  forward  with 
the  requisite  operations.  Yials  of  serpents' 
oil,  mummies  and  bones,  were  soon  set  in  or- 
der on  the  balustrade  of  the  tower.  The  pile 
began  to  rise,  and  in  three  hours  was  as  many 
cubits  high.  At  length,  darkness  approached, 
and  Carathis,  having  stripped  herself  to  her  in- 
most garment,  clapped  her  hands  in  an  im- 
pulse of  ecstasy,  and  struck  light  with  all  her 
force.  The  mutes  followed  her  example  :  but 
Vathek,  extenuated  with  hunger  and  impa- 
tience, was  unable  to  support  himself,  and  fell 
down  in  a  swoon.  The  sparks  had  already 
kindled  the  dry  wood ;  the  venomous  oil  burst 
into  a  thousand  blue  flames;  the  mummies,  dis- 
solving, emitted  a  thick  dun  vapor  ;  and,  the 
rhinoceros'  horns  beginning  to  consume,  all 
together  diffused  such  a  stench,  that  the  Ca- 
liph, recovering,  started  from  his  trance  and 
gazed  wihlly  on  the  scene  in  full  blaze  around 
him.  The  oil  gushed  forth  in  a  plentitude  of 
streams ;  and  the  negresses,  who  supplied  it 
without  intermission,  united  their  cries  to  those 
of  the  princess.  At  last  the  fire  became  so  vio- 
lent, and  the  flames  reflected  from  the  polished 


VATHEK.  47 

marble  so  dazzling,  that  the  Caliph,  unable  to 
withstand  the  heat  and  the  blaze,  effected  his 
escape,  and  clambered  up  the  imperial  stand- 
ard. 

In  the  meantime,  the  inhabitants  of  Sama- 
rah,  scared  at  the  light  which  shone  over  the 
city,  arose  in  haste,  ascending  their  roofs,  be- 
held the  tower  on  fire,  and  hurrietl  half-naked 
to  the  square.  Their  love  to  their  sovereign 
immediately  awoke  ;  and  apprehending  him  in 
danger  of  perishing  in  his  tower,  their  w^hole 
thoughts  were  occupied  with  the  means  of  his 
safety.  Morakanabad  flew  from  his  retirement, 
wiped  away  his  tears,  and  cried  out  for  water 
like  the  rest.  Bababalouk,  whose  olfactory 
nerves  were  more  familiarized  to  magical  odors, 
readily  conjecturing  that  Carathis  was  engag- 
ed in  her  favorite  amusements,  strenuously  ex- 
horted them  not  to  be  alarmed.  Him,  however, 
they  treated  as  an  old  poltroon,  and  forebore 
not  to  style  him  ?i  rascally  traitor.  The  camels 
and  dromedaries  were  advancing  with  water, 
but  no  one  knew  by  which  way  to  enter  the 
tower.  Whilst  the  populace  was  obstinate  in 
forcing  the  doors,  a  violent  east  wind  drove 
such  a  volume  of  flame  against  them,  as  at  first 
forced  them  off,  but  afterwards  rekindled  their 
zeal.  At  the  same  time,  the  stench  of  the 
horns  and  mummies  increasing,  most  of  the 
crowd  fell  backward  in  a  state  of  suffocation. 
Those  that  kej^t  their  feet  mutually  wondered 
at  the  cause  of  the  smell,  and  admonished  each 
other  to  retire.  Morakanabad,  more  sick  than 
the  rest,  remained  in  a  piteous  condition. 
Holding  his  nose  with  one  hand,  he  persisted 
in  his  efforts  with  the  other  to  burst  open  the 
doors,  and  obtain  admission.  A  hundred  and 
forty  of  the  strongest  and  most  resolute  at 
length  accomplished  their  purpose.  Having 
gained  the  staircase  by  their  violent  exertions, 
they  attained  a  great  height  in  a  quarter  of  an 
hour. 


48  VaTB^^. 

Carathis,  alarmed  at  the  sight  of  her  miites, 
advanced  to  the  staircase,  went  down  a  few 
steps,  and  heard  several  voices  calling  out  from 
below : 

"  You  shall  in  a  moment  have  water  !  " 

Being  rather  alert,  considering  her  age,  she 
presently  regained  the  top  of  the  tower,  and 
bade  her  son  suspend  the  sacrifice  for  some 
minutes,  adding : 

"  We  shall  soon  be  enabled  to  render  it  more 
grateful.  Certain  dolts  of  your  subjects,  im- 
agining, no  doubt,  that  we  were  on  lire,  have 
been  rash  enough  to  break  through  those  doors, 
which  had  hitherto  remained  inviolate,  for  the 
sake  of  bringing  up  water.  They  are  very 
kind,  you  must  allow,  so  soon  to  forget  the 
wrongs  you  have  done  them :  but  that  is  of 
little  moment.  Let  us  offer  them  to  the  Giaour. 
Let  them  come  up :  our  mutes,  who  neither 
want  strength  nor  experience,  will  soon  de- 
spatch them,  exhausted  as  they  are  with 
fatigue." 

"  Be  it  so,"  answered  the  Caliph,  "  provided 
we  finish,  and  I  dine." 

In  fact,  these  good  people,  out  of  breath 
from  ascending  eleven  thousand  stairs  in  such 
haste,  and  chagrined  at  having  spilt,  by  the 
way,  the  water  they  had  taken,  were  no  sooner 
arrived  at  the  top  than  the  blaze  of  the  flames 
and  the  fumes  of  the  mummies  at  once  over- 
powered their  senses.  It  was  a  pity  !  for  they 
beheld  not  the  agreeable  smile  with  which  the 
mutes  and  the  negresses  adjusted  the  cord  to 
their  necks:  these  amiable  personages  rejoiced, 
however,  no  less  at  the  scene.  Never  before 
had  the  ceremony  of  strangling  been  per- 
formed with  so  much  facility.  They  all  fell 
without  the  least  resistance  or  struggle  ;  so 
that  Vathek,  in  the  space  of  a  few  moments, 
found  himself  surrounded  by  the  dead  bodies 
of  his  most  faithful  subjects,  all  of  which  were 
thrown  on  the  top  of  the  pile. 


VATHEK,  49 

Carathis,  whose  presence  of  mind  never 
forsook  her,  perceiving  that  she  had  carcasses 
sufficient  to  complete  her  oblation,  commanded 
the  chains  to  be  stretched  across  the  staircase, 
and  the  iron  doors  barricaded,  that  no  more 
might  come  up. 

No  sooner  wer6  these  orders  obeyed,  than 
the  tower  shook;  th^  dead  bodies  vanished 
in  the  flames,  Which  at  once  changed  from  a 
swarthy  crimson  to  a  bright  ros6  color.  An 
ambient  vapor  emitted  the  most  exquisite  fra- 
grance ;  the  marble  column g  rang  with  harmo- 
nious sounds,  and  the  liquefied  horns  diffused 
a  delicious  perfume.  Carathis,  in  transports, 
anticipated  the  success  of  her  enterprise ; 
whilst  the  mutes  and  negresses,  to  whom 
these  sweets  had  given  the  colic,  retired  to 
their  cells  grumbling. 

Scarcely  were  they  gone,  when,  instead  of 
the  pile,  horns,  mummies,  and  ashes,  the  Ca- 
liph both  saw  and  felt,  with  a  degree  of  pleas- 
ure which  he  could  not  express,  a  table,  covered 
with  the  most  magnificent  repast ;  flagons  of 
wine,  and  vases  of  exquisite  sherbet,  floating 
on  snow.  He  availed  himself,  without  scruple, 
of  such  an  entertainment ;  and  had  already 
laid  hands  on  a  lamb  stuffed  with  pistachios, 
whilst  Carathis  was  privately  drawing  from  a 
filigreed  urn  a  parchment  that  seemed  to  be 
endless,  and  which  had  escaped  the  notice  of 
her  son.  Totally  occupied  in  gratifying  an 
importunate  appetite,  he  left  her  to  peruse  it, 
without  interruption  ;  which  having  finished, 
she  said  to  him,  in  an  authoritative  tone, — 

"  Put  an  end  to  your  gluttony,  and  hear  the 
splendid  promises  with  which  you  are  fa- 
vored !  "     She  then  read  as  follows  : 

"  Vathek,  my  well-beloved,  thou  hast  sur- 
passed my  hopes  :  my  nostrils   have  been  re- 
galed by  the  savor  of  thy  mummies,  thy  horns  ; 
and,  still  more,  by  the  lives  devoted  on  the 
4 


50  VAfJffSJBt. 

pile.  At  the  full  of  the  moon,  cause  the  bands 
of  thy  musicians,  and  thy  tymbals,  to  be  heard  ; 
depart  from  thy  palace  surrounded  by  all  the 
pageants  of  majesty,  thy  most  faithful  slaves, 
thy  best  beloved  wives,  thy  moat  magnificent 
litters,  thy  richest  laden  camels ;  and  set  for- 
ward on  thy  way  to  Istakhar.  There  await 
I  thy  coming.  That  is  the  region  of  won- 
ders. There  shalt  thou  receive  the  diadem  of 
Gian  Ben  Gian,*  the  talismans  of  Soliman, 
and  the  treasures  of  the  pre-Adamite  Sultans  ; 
there  shalt  thou  be  solaced  wdth  all  kinds  of 
delight.  But  beware  how  thou  enter  est  any 
dwelling  on  thy  route,  or  thou  shalt  feel  the 
effects  of  my  anger." 

The  Caliph,  who,  notwithstanding  his  habit- 
ual luxury,  had  never  before  dined  with  so 
much  satisfaction,  gave  full  scope  to  the  joy  of 
these  golden  tidings,  and  betook  himself  to 
drinking  anew.  Carathis,  whose  antipathy  to 
wine  was  by  no  means  insuperable,  failed  not 
to  supply  a  reason  for  every  bumper,  which 
they  ironically  quaffed  to  the  health  of  Ma- 
homet. This  infernal  liquor  completed  their 
impious  temerity,  and  prompted  them  to  utter 
a  profusion  of  blasphemies.  They  gave  a  loose 
to  their  wit,  at  the  expense  of  the  ass  of  Ba- 
laam, the  dog  of  the  seven  sleepers,  and  the 
other  animals  admitted  into  the  paradise  of 
^lahomet.  In  this  sprightly  humor  they  de- 
scended the  eleven  thousand  stairs,  diverting 
themselves  as  they  went  at  the  anxious  faces 
they  saw  on  the  square,  through  the  eyelets  of 
the  tower,  and  at  length  arrived  at  the  royal 
apartments  by  the  subterranean  passage.  Ba- 
babalouk  was  parading  to  and  fro,  and  issuing 
his  mandates  with  great  pomp  to  the  eunuchs, 

*  By  this  appellation  was  distinguished  the  monarch  of 
that  species  of  beings,  whom  the  Arabians  denominate 
Gian  or  Ginn,  that  is,  Genii;  and  the  Tarik  Thabari, 
FereSj  Feez,  or  Faeries. 


VATHEK.  6i 

wiio  W6re  snuffing  the  lights  and  painting  the 
eyes  of  the  Circassians.  No  sooner  did  he 
catch  sight  of  the  Caliph  and  his  mother  than 
he  exclaimed,— 

"  Ha !  you  have  then,  I  perceive,  escaped 
from  the  flames;  I  was  not,  however,  alto- 
gether out  of  doubt." 

"  Of  what  moment  is  it  to  us  what  you 
thought  or  think?"  cried  Carathis :  "go, 
speed,  tell  Morakauabad  that  we  immediately 
want  him  ;  and  take  care  how  you  stop  by  the 
way  to  make  your  insipid  reflections." 

Morakauabad  delayed  not  to  obey  the  sum- 
mons, and  was  received  by  Vatliek  and  his 
mother  Avith  great  solemnity.  They  told  him 
with  an  air  of  composure  and  commiseration 
that  the  fire  at  the  top  of  the  tower  was  extin- 
guished, but  that  it  had  cost  the  lives  of  the 
brave  people  who  sought  to  assist  them. 

''  Still  more  misfortunes !  "  cried  Morakau- 
abad with  a"  sigh.  "Ah,  commander  of  the 
faithful,  our  holy  prophet  is  certainly  irritated 
against  us  !  it  behooves  you  to  appease  him." 

"  We  will  appease  him  hereafter,"  replied 
the  Caliph,  with  a  smile  that  augured  nothing 
of  good.  "You  will  have  leisure  sufficient  for 
your  supplications  during  my  absence  ;  for  this 
country  is  the  bane  of  my  health.  I  am  dis- 
gusted with  the  mountain  of  the  four  foun- 
tains, and  am  resolved  to  go  and  drink  of  the 
stream  of  Rocnabad.*  I  long  to  refresh  my- 
self in  the  delightful  valleys  which  it  waters. 
Do  you,  with  the  advice  of  my  mother,  govern 
my  dominions  ;  and  take  care  to  supply  what- 
ever her  experiments  may  demand  ;  for  you 
well  know  that  our  tower  abounds  in  materials 
for  the  advancement  of  science." 

The  tower  but  ill  suited  Morakanabad's 
taste.     Immense  treasures  had  been  lavished 

*  The  stream  thus  denominated  flows  near  the  city  of 
Schiraz.  Its  waters  are  uncommonly  pure  and  limpid, 
and  their  banks  swarded  with  the  finest  verdure. 


54  VATBSl^, 

upon  it,  and  nothing  had  he  ever  seen  carried 
thither  but  female  negroes,  mutes,  and  abom- 
inable drugs,  Nor  did  he  know  well  what  to 
think  of  Carathis,  w*ho  like  a  chameleon  could 
assume  all  possible  colors.  Her  cursed  elo- 
quence had  often  driven  the  poor  Mussulman 
to  his  last  shifts.  He  considered,  however, 
that  11  she  possessed  but  few  good  qualities, 
her  son  had  still  fewer,  and  that  the  alternative, 
on  the  whole,  would  be  in  her  favor.  Consoled, 
therefore,  with  this  reflection,  he  went  in  good 
spirits  to  soothe  the  populace,  and  make  the 
proper  arrangements  for  his  master's  journey. 

Vathek,  to  conciliate  the  spirits  of  the  sub- 
terranean palace,  resolved  that  his  expedition 
should  be  uncommonly  splendid.  With  this 
view  he  confiscated  on  all  sides  the  property 
of  his  subjects,  whilst  his  worthy  mother 
stripped  the  seraglios  she  visited  of  the  gems 
they  contained.  She  collected  all  the  seam- 
stresses and  embroiderers  of  Samarah,  and 
other  cities,  to  the  distance  of  sixty  leagues, 
to  prepare  pavilions,  palanquins,  sofas,  cano- 
pies, and  litters,  for  the  train  of  the  monarch. 
There  was  not  left  in  Masulipatan  a  single 
piece  of  chintz;  and  so  much  muslin  had  been 
bought  up  to  dress  out  Bababalouk  and  the 
other  black  eunuchs,  that  there  remained  not 
an  ell  in  the  whole  Irak  of  Babylon. 

During  these  preparations,  Carathis,  who 
never  lost  sight  of  her  great  object,  which  was 
to  obtain  favor  with  the  powers  of  darkness, 
made  select  parties  of  the  fairest  and  most 
delicate  ladies  of  the  city ;  but  in  the  midst  of 
their  gayety  she  contrived  to  introduce  serpents 
amongst  them,  and  to  break  pots  of  scorpions 
under  the  table.  They  all  bit  to  a  wonder, 
and  Carathis  would  have  left  them  to  bite, 
were  it  not  that  to  fill  up  the  time,  she  now 
and  then  amused  herself  in  curing  their  wounds 
with  an  excellent  anodyne  of  her  own  inveu- 


VATHEK.  53 

tion  ;  for  this  good  princess  abhorred  being 
indolent. 

Vathek,  who  was  not  altogether  so  active  as 
his  mother,  devoted  his  time  to  the  sole  gratifi- 
cation of  his  senses,  in  the  palaces  which  were 
severally  dedicated  to  them.  He  disgusted 
himself  no  more  with  the  divan  or  the  mosque. 
One  half  of  Samarah  followed  his  example, 
whilst  the  other  lamented  the  progress  of  cor- 
ruption. 

In  the  midst  of  these  transactions,  the  em- 
bassy returned  which  had  been  sent  in  pious 
times  to  Mecca.  It  consisted  of  the  most  rev- 
erend mouUahs,*  who  had  fulfilled  their  com- 
mission, and  brought  back  one  of  those  precious 
besoms  which  are  used  to  sweep  the  sacred 
caaba  ;  a  present  truly  worthy  of  the  greatest 
potentate  on  earth ! 

The  Caliph  happened  at  this  instant  to  be 
engaged  in  an  apartment  by  no  means  adapted 
to  the  reception  of  embassies,  though  adorned 
with  a  certain  magnificence,  not  only  to  ren- 
der it  agreeable,  but  also  because  he  resorted 
to  it  frequently,  and  stayed  a  considerable  time 
together.  Whilst  occupied  in  this  retreat,  he 
heard  the  voice  of  Bababalouk  calling  out  from 
between  the  door  and  the  tapestry  that  hung 
before  it : 

"  Here  are  the  excellent  Mahomet  Ebn  Edris 
al  Shafei,  and  the  seraphic  Al  Mouhadethin, 
who  have  brought  the  besom  from  Mecca,  and 
with  tears  of  joy  entreat  they  may  present  it 
to  your  majesty  in  person." 

"  Let  them  bring  the  besom  hither,  it  may 
be  of  use,'*  said  Vathek,  who  was  still  em- 
ployed, not  having  quite  racked  off  his  wine. 

"  How  !  "  answered  Bababalouk,  half  aloud 
and  amazed. 

*  Those  among  the  Mahometans  who  were  bred  to  the 
law  had  this  title;  and  from  their  order  the  judges  of  cities 
and  provinces  were  taken. 


54  VATHEK. 

"  Obey,"  replied  the  Caliph,  "  for  it  is  my 
sovereign  will ;  go  instantly  !  vanish !  for  here 
will  I  receive  the  good  folk  who  have  thus 
filled  thee  with  joy." 

The  eunuch  departed  muttering,  and  bade 
the  venerable  train  attend  him.  A  sacred 
rapture  was  diffused  amongst  these  reverend 
old  men.  Though  fatigued  with  the  length  of 
their  expedition,  they  followed  Bababalouk 
with  an  alertness  almost  miraculous,  and  felt 
themselves  highly  flattered  as  they  swept  along 
the  stately  porticos,  that  the  Caliph  would  not 
receive  them  like  ambassadors  in  ordinary,  in 
his  hall  of  audience.  Soon  reaching  the  inte- 
rior of  the  harem  (where,  through  blinds  of 
Persian  they  perceived  large  soft  eyes,  dark 
and  blue,  that  went  and  came  like  lightning), 
penetrated  with  respect  and  wonder,  and  full 
of  their  celestial  mission,  they  advanced  in 
procession  towards  the  small  corridors  that 
appeared  to  terminate  in  nothing,  but  never- 
theless led  to  the  cell  where  the  Caliph  ex- 
pected their  coming. 

"  What !  is  the  commander  of  the  faithful 
sick?"  said  Ebn  Edris  al  Shafei,  in  a  low 
voice  to  his  companion. 

"  I  rather  think  he  is  in  his  oratory,"  an- 
swered Al  Mouhadethin. 

Vathek,  who  heard  the  dialogue,  cried  out, 
"  What  imports  it  you  how  I  am  employed  ? 
approach  without  delay." 

They  advanced,  and  Bababalouk  almost 
sunk  with  confusion,  wliilst  the  Caliph,  with- 
out showing  himself,  put  forth  his  hand  from 
behind  the  tapestry  that  hung  before  the  door, 
and  demanded  of  them  the  besom.* 

*  The  heinousness  of  Yathek's  profanation  can  only  be 
judged  of  by  an  orthodox  Mussuhnan,  or  one  who  recol- 
lects the  ablution  and  prayer  indispensably  required  on 
the  exoneration  of  nature. — Sale''s  Prelim.  Disc.  p.  139. 
Al  Koran,  ch,  4.  IlabescCs  State  of  the  Ottoman  Empire^ 
p.  93. 


VATHEK.  65 

Having  prostrated  themselves  as  well  as  the 
corridor  would  permit,  and  even  in  a  tolerable 
semicircle,  the  venerable  Al  Shafei,  drawing 
forth  the  besom  from  the  embroidered  and 
perfumed  scarfs  in  which  it  had  been  envel- 
oped, and  secured  from  the  profane  gaze  of 
vulgar  eyes,  arose  from  his  associates  and  ad- 
vanced with  an  air  of  the  most  awful  solem- 
iiity  towards  the  supposed  oratory  ;  but  with 
what  astonishment !  with  what  horror  was  he 
seized ! 

Vathek,  bursting  out  into  a  villainous  laugh, 
snatched  the  besom  from  his  trembling  hand, 
and  fixing  upon  it  some  cobwebs  that  hung 
suspended  from  the  ceiling,  gravely  brushed 
away  till  not  a  single  one  remained. 

The  old  men,  overpowered  with  amazement, 
were  unable  to  lift  their  beards  from  the 
ground  ;  for  as  Vathek  had  carelessly  left  the 
tapestry  between  them  half  drawn,  they  were 
witnesses  to  the  whole  transaction.  Their 
tears  gushed  forth  on  the  marble.  Al  Mou- 
hadethin  swooned  through  mortification  and 
fatigue,  whilst  the  Caliph,  throwing  himself 
backward  on  his  seat,  shouted  and  clapped  his 
hands  without  mercy.  At  last,  addressing 
himself  to  Bababalouk : 

"  My  dear  black,"  said  he,  "  go,  regale  these 
pious  poor  souls  with  my  good  wine  from 
Schiraz;  and  as  they  can  boast  of  having  seen 
more  of  my  palace  than  any  one  besides,  let 
them  also  visit  my  office  courts,  and  lead  them 
out  by  the  back  steps  that  go  to  my  stables." 
Having  said  this,  he  threw  the  besom  in  their 
face,  and  went  to  enjoy  the  laugh  with  Cara- 
this. 

Bababalouk  did  all  in  his  power  to  console 
the  ambassadors,  but  the  two  most  infirm  ex- 
pired on  tlie  spot ;  the  rest  were  carried  to 
their  beds,  from  whence,  being  heart-broken 
with  sorrow  and  shame,  they  never  arose, 


66  VATHEK, 

^  The  succeeding  night,  Vathek,  attended  by 
his  mother,  ascended  the  tower  to  see  if  every- 
thing were  ready  for  his  journey,  for  he  had 
great  faith  in  the  influence  of  the  stars.  The 
planets  appeared  in  their  most  favorable  as- 
pects. The  Caliph,  to  enjoy  so  flattering  a 
sight,  supped  gayly  on  the  roof,  and  fancied 
that  he  heard,  during  his  repast,  loud  shouts 
of  laughter  resound  through  the  sk}^,  in  a 
manner  that  inspired  the  fullest  assurance. 

All  was  in  motion  at  the  palace ;  lights 
were  kept  burning  through  the  whole  of  the 
night ;  the  sound  of  implements,  and  of  arti- 
sans finishing  their  work,  the  voices  of  women 
and  their  guardians  who  sung  at  their  em- 
broidery, all  conspired  to  interrupt  the  still- 
ness of  nature,  and  infinitely  delight  the  heart 
of  Vathek,  who  imagined  himself  going  in  tri- 
umph to  sit  upon  the  throne  of  Soliman. 

The  people  were  not  less  satisfied  than  him- 
self; all  assisted  to  accelerate  the  moment 
which  should  rescue  them  from  the  wayward 
caprices  of  so  extravagant  a  master. 

The  day  preceding  the  departure  of  this  in- 
fatuated prince  was  employed  by  Carathis  in 
repeating  to  him  the  decrees  of  the  mysterious 
parchment,  which  she  had  thoroughly  gotten 
by  heart;  and  in  recommending  him  not  to 
enter  the  habitation  of  any  one  by  the  way ; 
"for  well  thou  knowest,"  added  she,  "how 
liquorish  thy  taste  is  after  good  dishes  and 
young  damsels :  let  me  therefore  enjoin  thee 
to  be  content  with  thy  old  cooks,  who  are  the 
best  in  the  world ;  and  not  to  forget  that  in 
thy  ambulatory  seraglio  there  are  three  dozen 
pretty  faces,  which  Bababalouk  hath  not  yet 
unveiled.  I  myself,  have  a  great  desire  to 
watch  over  thy  conduct,  and  visit  the  subter- 
ranean palace,  which  no  doubt  contains  what- 
ever can  interest  persons  like  "us.  There  is 
nothing  so  pleasing  as  retiring  to  caverns ;  my 


VATHEK.  57 

iaste  for  dead  bodies  and  everything  like 
mummy  is  decided;  and  I  am  confident  thou 
wilt  see  the  most  exquisite  of  their  kind.  For- 
get me  not  then,  but  the  moment  thou  art  in 
possession  of  the  talismans  which  are  to  open 
to  thee  the  mineral  kingdoms,  and  the  center 
of  the  earth  itself,  fail  not  to  despatch  some 
trusty  genius  to  take  me  and  my  cabinet,  for 
the  oil  of  the  serpents  I  have  pinched  to  death 
will  be  a  pretty  present  to  the  Giaour,  who 
cannot  but  be  charmed  with  such  dainties." 

Scarcely  had  Carathis  ended  this  edifying 
discourse,  when  the  sun,  setting  behind  the 
mountain  of  the  four  fountains,  gave  place  to 
the  rising  moon.  This  planet  being  that  even- 
ing at  full,  appeared  of  unusual  beauty  and 
magnitude  in  the  eyes  of  the  women,  the  eu- 
nuchs, and  the  pages  who  were  all  impatient 
to  set  forward.  The  city  re-echoed  with  shouts 
of  joy  and  flourishing  of  trumpets.  Nothing 
was  visible  but  plumes  nodding  on  pavilions, 
and  aigrets  shining  in  the  mild  lustre  of  the 
moon.  The  spacious  square  resembled  an 
immense  parterre,  variegated  with  the  most 
stately  tulips  of  the  East. 

Arrayed  in  the  robes  which  were  only  worn 
at  the  most  distinguished  ceremonials,  and 
supported  by  his  vizier  and  Bababalouk,  the 
Caliph  descended  the  grand  staircase  of  the 
tower  in  the  sight  of  all  his  people.  He  could 
not  forbear  pausing  at  intervals  to  admire  the 
superb  appearance  which  everywhere  courted 
his  view,  whilst  the  whole  multitude,  even  to 
the  camels  with  their  sumptuous  burdens,  knelt 
down  before  him.  For  some  time  a  general 
stillness  prevailed,  which  nothing  happened  to 
disturb,  but  the  shrill  screams  of  some  eunuchs 
in  the  rear.  These  vigilant  guards  having  re- 
marked certain  cages  of  the  ladies  swagging 
somewhat  awry,  and  discovered  that  a  few 
adventurous  gallants  had  contrived  to  get  in. 


88  VATEEK. 

soon  dislodged  the  enraptured  culprits,  and 
consigned  them,  with  good  commendations,  to 
the  surgeons  of  the  serai.  The  majesty  of  so 
magnificent  a  spectacle  was  not,  however,  vio- 
lated by  incidents  like  these.  Vathek,  mean- 
while, saluted  the  moon  with  an  idolatrous 
air,  that  neither  pleased  Morakanabad  nor  the 
doctors  of  the  law,  any  more  than  the  viziers 
and  grandees  of  his  court,  who  were  all  assem- 
bled to  enjoy  the  last  view  of  their  sovereign. 

At  length  the  clarions  and  trumpets  from 
the  top  of  the  tower  announced  the  prelude  of 
departure.  Though  the  instruments  were  in 
unison  with  each  other,  yet  a  singular  disso- 
nance w^as  blended  with  their  sounds.  This 
proceeded  from  Carathis,  who  was  singing  her 
direful  orisons  to  the  Giaour,  whilst  the  ne- 
gresses  and  mutes  supplied  thorough  bass 
without  articulating  a  word.  The  good  Mus- 
sulmans fancied  that  they  heard  the  sullen 
hum  of  those  nocturnal  insects  which  presage 
evil,  and  importuned  Vathek  to  beware  how 
he  ventured  his  sacred  person. 

On  a  given  signal  the  great  standard  of  the 
Calif  at  was  displayed ;  twenty  thousand  lances 
shone  around  it ;  and  the  Caliph,  treading 
royally  on  the  cloth  of  gold  which  had  been 
spread  for  his  feet,  ascended  his  litter  amidst 
the  general  awe  that  possessed  his  subjects. 

The  expedition  commenced  with  the  utmost 
order,  and  so  entire  a  silence,  that  even  the 
locusts  were  heard  from  the  thickets  on  the 
plain  of  Catoul.  Gayety  and  good  humor  pre- 
vailing, six  good  leagues  were  passed  before  the 
dawn ;  and  the  morning  star  was  still  glitter- 
ing in  the  firmament  when  the  whole  of  this 
numerous  train  had  halted  on  the  banks  of  the 
Tigris,  where  they  encamped  to  repose  for  the 
rest  of  the  day. 

The  three  days  that  followed  were  spent  in 
the  same  manner,  but  on  the  fourth  the  heav- 


VATSEK,  59 

ens  looked  angry,  lightnings  broke  forth  in 
frequent  flashes,  re-echoing  peals  of  thunder 
succeeded,  and  the  trembling  Circassians  clung 
with  all  their  might  to  their  ugly  guardians. 
The  Caliph  himself  was  greatly  inclined  to 
take  shelter  in  the  large  town  of  Gulchissar, 
the  governor  of  which  came  forth  to  meet  him, 
and  tendered  every  kind  of  refreshment  the 
place  could  supply.  But  having  examined  his 
tablets,  he  suffered  the  rain  to  soak  him  almost 
to  the  bone  notwithstanding  the  importunity 
of  his  first  favorites.  Though  he  began  to 
regret  the  palace  of  the  senses,  yet  he  lost  not 
sight  of  his  enterprise,  and  his  sanguine  ex- 
pectations confirmed  his  resolution.  His  geog- 
raphers were  ordered  to  attend  him,  but  the 
weather  proved  so  terrible,  that  these  poor 
people  exhibited  a  lamentable  appearance ;  and 
as  no  long  journeys  had  been  undertaken  since 
the  time  of  Haroun  al  Raschid,  their  maps  of 
the  different  countries  were  in  a  still  worse 
plight  than  themselves.  Every  one  was  igno- 
rant which  way  to  turn  ;  for  Vathek,  though 
well  versed  in  the  course  of  the  heavens,  no 
longer  knew  his  situation  on  earth.  He  thun- 
dered even  louder  than  the  elements,  and  mut- 
tered forth  certain  hints  of  the  bowstriug  which 
were  not  very  soothing  to  literary  ears.  Dis- 
gusted at  the  toilsome  weariness  of  the  way, 
he  determined  to  cross  over  the  craggy  heights, 
and  follow  the  guidance  of  a  peasant,  who  un- 
dertook to  bring  him,  in  four  days,  to  Rocna- 
bad.  Remonstrances  were  all  to  no  purpose, 
his  resolution  was  fixed,  and  an  invasion  com- 
menced on  the  province  of  the  goats,  who 
sped  away  in  large  troops  before  them.  It 
was  curious  to  view  on  these  half  calcined 
rocks  camels  richly  caparisoned,  and  pavilions 
of  gold  and  silk  waving  on  their  summits, 
which  till  then  had  never  been  covered,  but 
yiiih  sapless  thistles  and  fern, 


60  VATHEK. 

The  females  and  eunuchs  uttered  shrill  wail- 
ings  at  the  sight  of  the  precipices  below  them, 
and  the  dreary  prospects  that  opened  in  the 
vast  gorges  of  the  mountains.  Before  they 
could  reach  the  ascent  of  the  steepest  rock 
night  overtook  them,  and  a  boisterous  tempest 
arose,  which,  having  rent  the  awnings  of  the 
palanquins  and  cages,  exposed  to  the  raw 
gusts  the  poor  ladies  within,  who  had  never 
before  felt  so  piercing  a  cold.  The  dark 
clouds  that  overcast  the  face  of  the  sky  deep- 
ened the  horrors  of  this  disastrous  night,  inso- 
much that  nothing  could  be  heard  distinctly 
but  the  mewling  of  pages,  and  lamentations 
of  sultanas. 

To  increase  the  general  misfortune,  the 
frightful  uproar  of  wild  beasts  resounded  at  a 
distance,  and  there  were  soon  perceived  in  the 
forest  they  were  skirting  the  glaring  of  eyes 
which  could  belong  only  to  devils  or  tigers. 
The  pioneers,  who,  as  well  as  they  could,  had 
marked  out  a  track,  and  a  part  of  the  ad- 
vanced guard  were  devoured  before  they  had 
been  in  the  least  apprised  of  their  danger. 
The  confusion  that  prevailed  was  extreme. 
Wolves,  tigers,  and  other  carnivorous  animals, 
invited  by  the  howling  of  their  companions, 
flocked  together  from  every  quarter.  The 
crushing  of  bones  was  heard,  on  all  sides,  and 
a  fearful  rush  of  wings  overhead  for  now 
vultures  also  began  to  be  of  the  party. 

The  terror  at  length  reached  the  main  body 
of  the  troops  which  surrounded  the  monarch 
and  his  harem,  at  Uie  distance  of  two  leagues 
from  the  scene.  Vathek  (voluptuously  reposed 
in  his  capacious  litter  upon  cushions  of  silk, 
with  two  little  pages  beside  him,  of  complex- 
ions more  fair  than  the  enamel  of  Frangues- 
tan,  who  were  occupied  in  keeping  off  flies)  was 
soundly  asleep,  and  contemplating  in  his 
dreams  the  treasures  of  S oilman.     The  shrieks 


vAthM.  61 

however,  of  his  wives  awoke  him  with  a  start 
and  instead  of  the  Giaour  with  his  key  of  gold, 
he  beheld  Bababalouk  full  of  consternation. 

"  Sire,"  exolaimed  this  good  servant  of  the 
most  potent  of  monarchs,  "misfortune  has 
arrived  at  its  height ;  wild  beasts,  who  enter- 
tain no  more  reverence  for  your  sacred  person 
than  for  that  of  a  dead  ass,  have  beset  your 
camels  and  their  drivers  :  thirty  of  the  richest 
laden  are  already  become  their  prey,  as  well  as 
all  your  confectioners,  your  cooks,  and  pur- 
veyors, and  unless  our  holy  prophet  should 
protect  us,  we  shall  have  all  eaten  our  last 
meal." 

At  the  mention  of  eating,  the  Caliph  lost  all 
patience.  He  began  to  bellow,  and  even  beat 
himself,  for  there  was  no  seeing  in  the  dark. 
The  rumor  every  instant  increased,  and  Baba- 
balouk, finding  no  good  could  be  done  with  his 
master,  stopped  both  his  ears  against  the  hurly- 
burly  of  the  harem,  and  called  out  aloud : 

"  Come,  ladies  and  brothers !  all  hands  to 
work !  strike  light  in  a  moment !  never  shall  it  be 
said  that  tlie  commander  of  the  faithful  served 
to  regale  these  infidel  brutes." 

Though  there  wanted  not  in  this  bevy  of 
beauties  a  sufficient  number  of  capricious  and 
wayward,  yet,  on  the  present  occasion,  they 
were  all  compliance.  Fires  were  visible  in  a 
twinkling  in  all  their  cages.  Ten  thousand 
torches  were  lighted  at  once.  The  Caliph 
himself  seized  a  large  one  of  w^ax  ;  every  per- 
son followed  his  example  ;  and  by  kindling 
ropes'  ends  dipped  in  oil  and  fastened  on  poles, 
an  amazing  blaze  was  spread.  The  rocks  were 
covered  with  the  splendor  of  sunshine.  The 
trails  of  sparks,  wafted  by  the  wind,  communi- 
cated to  the  dry  fern,  of  which  there  Avas  plenty. 
Serpents  were  observed  to  crawl  forth  from 
their  retreats  with  amazement  and  hissings, 
whilst  the  horses  snorted,  stamped  the  ground, 


62  VATBiK. 

tossed  their  noses  in  the  air,  and  plunged  about 
without  mercy. 

One  of  the  forests  of  cedar  that  bordered 
their  way  took  fire,  and  the  branches  that 
overhung  the  path,  extending  their  flames  to 
the  muslins  and  chintzes  which  covered  the 
cages  of  the  ladies,  obliged  them  to  jump  out 
at  the  peril  of  their  necks.  Vathek,  who 
vented  on  the  occasion  a  thousand  blasphemies, 
was  himself  compelled  to  touch  with  his  sacred 
feet  the  naked  earth. 

Never  had  such  an  incident  happened  before. 
Full  of  mortification,  shame  and  despondence, 
and  not  knowing  how  to  Avalk,  the  ladies  fell 
into  the  dirt. 

"  Must  I  go  on  foot  ?  "  said  one. 

"  Must  I  wet  my  feet  ?  "  cried  another. 

"  Must  I  soil  my  dress  ?  "  asked  a  third. 

"  Execrable  Bababalouk  !  "  exclaimed  all ; 
"  outcast  of  hell !  what  hadst  thou  to  do  with 
torches  ?  Better  were  it  to  be  eaten  by  tigers 
than  to  fall  into  our  present  condition  ;  we 
are  forever  undone.  Not  a  porter  is  there  in 
the  army,  nor  a  currier  of  camels,  but  hath 
seen  some  part  of  our  bodies,  and,  what  is 
worse,  our  very  faces  I  " 

On  saying  this,  the  most  bashful  amongst 
them  hid  their  foreheads  on  the  ground,  whilst 
such  as  had  more  boldness  flew  at  Bababalouk ; 
but  he,  well  apprised  of  their  humor,  and  not 
wanting  in  shrewdness,  betook  himself  to  liis 
heels  along  with  his  comrades,  all  dropping 
their  torches  and  striking  their  tymbals. 

It  was  not  less  light  than  in  the  brightest  of 
the  dog-days,  and  the  weather  was  hot  in 
proportion  ;  but  how  degrading  was  the  spec- 
tacle, to  behold  the  Caliph  bespattered  like  an 
ordinary  mortal !  As  the  exercise  of  his  fac- 
ulties seemed  to  be  suspended,  one  of  his 
Ethiopian  wives  (for  he  delighted  in  variety) 
clasped  him  in  her  arms,  threw  him  upon  her 


VATBEK.  eS 

slioulder  like  a  sack  of  dates,  and  finding  that 
the  fire  was  hemming  them  in,  set  off  with  no 
small  expedition,  considering  the  weight  of 
her  burden.  The  otlier  ladies,  who  had  just 
learned  the  use  of  their  feet,  followed  her ; 
their  guards  galloped  after ;  and  the  camel 
drivers  brought  up  the  rear  as  fast  as  their 
charge  would  permit. 

They  soon  reached  the  spot  where  the  wild 
beasts  had  commenced  the  carnage,  and  which 
tliey  had  too  much  spirit  to  leave,  notwith- 
standing the  approaching  tumult,  and  the  lux- 
urious supper  they  had  made.  Bababalouk 
nevertheless  seized  on  a  few  of  the  plumpest, 
which  were  unable  to  budge  from  the  place, 
and  began  to  flay  them  with  admirable  "^  adroit- 
ness. The  cavalcade  being  got  so  far  from 
the  conflagration  as  that  the  heat  felt  rather 
grateful  than  violent,  it  was  immediately  re- 
solved on  to  halt.  The  tattered  chintzes  were 
picked  up  ;  the  scraps  left  by  the  wolves  and 
tigers  interred  ;  and  vengeance  was  taken'^'bn 
some  dozens  of  vultures  that  were  too  much 
glutted  to  rise  on  the  wing.  The  camels  which 
had  been  left  unmolested  to  make  sal-ammoniac 
being  numbered,  and  the  ladies  once  more  in- 
closed in  their  cages,  the  imperial  tent  was 
pitched  on  the  levellest  ground  they  could 
find. 

Vathek,  reposing  upon  a  mattress  of  down, 
and  tolerably  recovered  from  the  jolting  of 
the  Ethiopian,  who,  to  his  feelings,  seemed  the 
roughest  trotting  jade  he  had  hitherto  mounted, 
called  out  for  something  to  eat ;  but,  alas  ! 
those  delicate  cakes  Avhicli  had  been  baked  in 
silver  ovens  for  his  royal  mouth,  those  rich 
manchets,  amber  comflts,  flagons  of  Schiraz 
wine,  porcelain  vases  of  snow,  and  grapes  from 
the  banks  of  the  Tigris,  were  all  irremediably 
lost ;  and  nothing  had  Bababalouk  to  present 
in  their  stead,  but  a  roasted  wolf,  vultures  a  la 


^  •     VATHEK. 

dauhe^  aromatic  herbs  of  the  most  acrid  poig- 
nancy, rotten  truffles,  boiled  thistles,  and  such 
other  wild  plants  as  must  ulcerate  the  throat 
and  parch  up  the  tongue.  Nor  was  he  better 
provided  in  the  article  of  drink,  for  he  could 
procure  nothing  to  accompany  these  irritating 
viands  but  a  few  vials  of  abominable  brandy, 
which  had  been  secreted  by  the  scullions  in 
their  slippers. 

Vathek  made  wry  faces  at  so  savage  a  repast, 
and  Bababalouk  answered  them  with  shrugs 
and  contortions.  The  Caliph,  however,  ate 
with  tolerable  appetite,  and  fell  into  a  nap  that 
lasted  six  hours.  The  splendor  of  the  sun, 
reflected  from  the  white  cliffs  of  the  mount- 
ains in  spite  of  the  curtains  that  inclosed 
him,  at  length  disturbed  his  repose.  He  awoke 
terrified,  and  stung  to  the  quick  by  those 
wormwood-colored  flies  which  emit  from  their 
wings  a  suffocating  stench.  The  miserable 
monarch  was  perplexed  how  to  act,  though  his 
wits  were  not  idle  in  seeking  expedients, 
whilst  Bababalouk  lay  snoring  amidsts  a  swarm 
of  those  insects,  that  busily  thronged  to  pay 
court  to  his  nose.  The  little  pages,  famished 
with  hunger,  had  dropped  their  fans  on  the 
ground,  and  exerted  their  dying  voices  in  bit- 
ter reproaches  on  the  Caliph,  wlio  now  for  the 
first  time  heard  the  language  of  truth. 

Thus  stimulated,  he  renewed  his  impreca- 
tions against  the  Giaour,  and  bestowed  upon 
Mahomet  some  soothing  expressions. 

"  Where  am  I  ? "  cried  he.  "  What  are 
these  dreadful  rocks;  these  valleys  of  dark- 
ness ?     Are  we  arrived  at  the  horrible  Kaf  ?  * 


*  This  mountain,  which,  in  realitj-,  is  no  other  than  the 
Caucasus,  was  supposed  to  surround  the  earth,  like  a  ring 
encompassing  a  finger.  Tlie  sun  was  believed  to  rise 
from  one  of  its  eminences  (as  over  Octa,  by  the  Latin 
poets),  and  to  set  on  the  opposite;  whence  "  from  Kaf  to 
Kaf"  signified  from  one  extremity  of  the  earth  to  the 
other. 


VATHEK.  g5 

is  the  Simurgli  *  coming  to  pluck  out  my  eyes 
as  a  punishment  for  undertaking  this  impious 
enterprise  ?  " 

Having  said  this,  he  bellowed  like  a  calf, 
and  turned  himself  towards  an  outlet  in  the 
side  of  his  pavilion.  But  alas !  what  objects 
occurred  to  his  view  !  on  one  side  a  plain  of 
black  sand  that  appeared  to  be  unbounded,  and 
on  the  other  perpendicular  crags  bristled  over 
with  thos«  abominable  thistles  which  had  so 
severely  lacerated  his  tongue.  He  fancied, 
however,  that  he  perceived  amongst  the  bram- 
bles and  briers  some  gigantic  flowers,  but  was 
mistaken,  for  these  were  only  the  dangling 
palampores  and  variegated  tatters  of  his  gay 
retinue.  As  there  were  several  clefts  in  the 
rock  from  whence  water  seemed  to  have 
flowed,  Vathek  applied  his  ear  with  the  hope 
of  catching  the  sound  of  some  latent  runnel, 
but  could  only  distinguish  the  low  murmurs  of 
his  people,  who  were  repining  at  their  journey, 
and  complaining  for  the  want  of  water. 

"  To  what  purpose,"  asked  they,  "  have  we 
been  brought  hither?  Hath  our  Caliph  an- 
other tower  to  build  ?  or  have  the  relentless 
Afrits,!  whom  Carathis  so  much  loves,  fixed 
in  this  place  their  abode  ?  " 

At  the  name  of  Carathis,  Vathek  recollected 
the  tablets  he  had  received  from  his  mother, 
who  assured  him  they  were  fraught  with  pre- 

*  This  is  that  wonderful  bird  of  the  East,  concerning 
which  so  many  marvels  are  told.  It  was  not  only  endowed 
with  reason,  but  possessed  also  the  knowledge  of  every 
language.  The  creature  relates  of  itself,  that  it  had  seen 
the  great  revolution  of  seven  thousand  years,  twelve 
times,  commence  and  close;  and  that,  in  its  duration,  the 
world  had  beeu  seven  times  void  of  inhabitants,  and  as 
often  replenished.  The  Simurgh  is  represented  as  a  great 
friend  to  the  race  of  Adam,  and  not  less  inimical  to  the 
Dives. 

These  were  a  kind  of  Medus«,  or  Lamia,  supposed  to 
be  the  most  terrible  and  cruel  of  all  the  orders  of  >  K» 
D'lSQ&.—Herbelot,  p.  66. 

5 


m  VATHEK. 

ternatural  qualities,  and  advised  him  to  con- 
sult them  as  emergencies  might  require. 
Whilst  he  was  engaged  in  turning  them  over, 
he  heard  a  shout  of  joy,  and  a  loud  clapping 
of  hands.  The  curtains  of  his  pavilion  were 
soon  drawn  back,  and  he  beheld  Bababalouk, 
followed  by  a  troop  of  his  favorites,  conduct- 
ing two  dwarfs,  each  a  cubit  high,  who  brought 
between  them  a  large  basket  of  melons,  or- 
anges, and  pomegranates.  They  were  singing 
in  the  sweetest  tones  the  words  that  follow  : 
"  We  dwell  on  the  top  of  these  rocks,  in  a 
cabin  of  rushes  and  canes  ;  the  eagles  envy  us 
our  nest ;  a  small  spring  supplies  us  with  ab- 
dest,  and  we  daily  repeat  prayers  which  the 
prophet  approves.  We  love  you,  O  command- 
er of  the  faithful !  our  master,  the  good  emir 
Fakreddin,  loves  you  also  ;  he  reveres  in  your 
person  the  vicegerent  of  Mahomet.  Little  as 
we  are,  in  us  he  confides  ;  he  knows  our  hearts 
to  be  good,  as  our  bodies  are  contemptible, 
and  hath  placed  us  here  to  aid  those  who  are 
bewildered  on  these  dreary  mountains.  Last 
night,  whilst  we  were  occupied  within  our  cell 
in  reading  the  holy  Koran,  a  sudden  hurricane 
blew  out  our  lights  and  rocked  our  habitation. 
For  two  whole  hours  a  palpable  darkness  pre- 
vailed :  but  we  heard  sounds  at  a  distance 
which  we  conjectured  to  proceed  from  the 
bells  of  a  cafila,  passing  over  the  rocks.  Our 
ears  were  soon  filled  with  deplorable  shrieks, 
frightful  roarings,  and  the  sound  of  tynibals. 
Chilled  with  terror,  we  concluded  that  the 
Deggial  *  with  his  exterminating  angels  had 
sent  forth  their  plagues  on  the  earth.  In  the 
midst    of    these    melancholy   reflections,   we 

*  This  word  signifies,  properly,  a  liar  and  impostor,  but 
is  applied  by  Mahometan  writers  to  their  Antichrist.  He 
is  described  as  having  but  one  eye  and  eyebrow,  and  on 
his  forehead  the  radicals  of  cafer,  or  infidel,  are  said  to  be 
impressed. 


VATHEK,  67 

the  horizon,  and  found  ourselves  in  a  few 
moments  covered  with  flakes  of  fire.  Amazed 
at  so  strange  an  appearance,  we  took  up  the 
volume  dictated  by  the  blessed  intelligence, 
perceived  flames  of  the  deepest  red  glow  in 
and  kneeling  by  the  light  of  the  fire  that  sur- 
rounded us,  we  recited  the  verse  which  says: 
'  Put  no  trust  in  anything  but  the  mercy  of 
Heaven;  there  is  no  help  save  in  the  holy 
prophet;  the  mountain  of  Kaf  itself  may 
tremble  ;  it  is  the  power  of  Alia  only  that 
cannot  be  moved.'  After  having  pronounced 
these  words,  we  felt  consolation,  and  our 
minds  were  hushed  into  a  sacred  repose. 
Silence  ensued,  and  our  ears  clearly  distin- 
guished a  voice  in  the  air  saying  :  '  Servants 
of  my  faithful  servant,  go  down  to  the  happy 
valley  of  Fakreddin ;  tell  him  that  an  illustri- 
ous opportunity  now  offers  to  satiate  the  thirst 
of  his  hospitable  heart.  The  commander  of 
true  believers  is  this  day  bewildered  amongst 
these  mountains,  and  stands  in  need  of  thy 
aid.'  We  obeyed  with  joy  the  angelic  mission, 
and  our  master,  filled  with  pious  zeal,  hath 
culled  with  his  own  hands  these  melons,  or- 
anges, and  pomegranates.  He  is  following  us 
with  a  hundred  dromedaries  laden  with  the 
purest  waters  of  his  fountains,  and  is  coming 
to  kiss  the  fringe  of  your  consecrated  robe, 
and  implore  you  to  enter  his  humble  habita- 
tion, which,  placed  amidst  these  barren  wilds, 
resembles  an  emerald  set  in  lead.'* 

The  dwarfs,  having  ended  their  address,  re- 
mained still  standing,  and,  with  hands  crossed 
upon  their  bosoms,  preserved  a  respectful 
silence. 

Vathek,  in  the  midst  of  this  curious  ha- 
rangue,  seized  the  basket,  and  long  before  it 
was  finished,  the  fruits  had  dissolved  in  his 
mouth.  As  he  continued  to  eat,  his  piety 
increased,  and,  in  the  same  breath  which  re* 


6g  VATBEK. 

cited  his  prayers,  he  called  for  the  Koran  and 
sugar. 

Such  was  the  state  of  his  mind  when  the 
tablets,  which  were  thrown  by  at  the  approach 
of  the  dwarfs,  again  attracted  his  eye.  He 
took  them  up,  but  was  ready  to  drop  on  the 
ground  when  he  beheld,  in  large  red  charac- 
ters, these  words  inscribed  by  Carathis,  which 
were  indeed  enough  to  make  him  tremble. 

''  Beware  of  thy  old  doctors,  and  their  puny 
messengers  of  but  one  cubit  high,  distrust 
their  pious  frauds ;  and  instead  of  eating  their 
melons,  impale  on  a  spit  the  bearers  of  them. 
Shouldst  thou  be  such  a  fool  as  to  visite  them, 
the  portal  of  the  subterranean  palace  will  be 
shut  in  thy  face,  and  with  such  force  as  shall 
shake  thee  asunder ;  thy  body  shall  be  spit 
upon,  and  bats  will  engender  in  thy  belly." 

"To  what  tends  this  ominous  rhapsody?" 
cries  the  Caliph  ;  "  and  must  I  then  perish  in 
these  deserts  with  thirst,  whilst  I  may  refresh 
myself  in  the  valley  of  melons  and  cucum- 
bers? Accursed  be  the  Giaour  with  his  portal 
of  ebony!  he  hath  made  me  dance  attendance 
too  long  already.  Besides,  who  shall  pre- 
scribe laws  to  me  ?  I,  forsooth,  must  not  enter 
any  one's  habitation  1  Be  it  so,  but  what  one 
can  I  enter  that  is  not  my  own  ?  " 

Bababalouk,  who  lost  not  a  syllable  of  this 
soliloquy,  applauded  it  with  all  his  heart ;  and 
the  ladies,  for  the  first  time  agreed  with  him 
in  opinion. 

The  dwarfs  were  entertained,  caressed,  and 
seated  with  great  ceremony  on  little  cushions 
of  satin.  The  symmetry  of  their  persons  was 
the  subject  of  criticism  ;  not  an  inch  of  them 
was  suffered  to  pass  unexamined.  Nick-nacks 
and  dainties  were  offered  in  profusion,  but  all 
were  declined  with  respectful  gravity.  They 
clambered  up  the  sides  of  the  Caliph's  seat, 
and,  placing  themselves  each  on  one  of  his 


VATHEK.  69 

shoulders,  began  to  whisper  prayers  in  his  ears. 
Their  tongues  quivered  like  the  leaves  of  a 
poplar,  and  the  patience  of  Vathek  was  almost 
exhausted,  when  the  acclamations  of  the  troops 
announced  the  approach  of  Fakreddin,  who 
was  come  with  a  hundred  old  gray-beards, 
and  as  many  Korans  and  dromedaries.  They 
instantly  set  about  their  ablutions,  and  began 
to  repeat  the  Bismillah.  Vathek,  ho  get  rid 
of  these  officious  monitors,  followed  their  ex- 
ample, for  his  hands  were  burning. 

The  good  emir,  who  was  punctiliously  re- 
ligious, and  likewise  a  great  dealer  in  compli- 
ments, made  an  harangue  five  times  more  pro- 
lix and  insipid  than  his  harbingers  had  already 
delivered.  The  Caliph,  unable  any  longer  to 
refrain,  exclaimed : 

"For  the  love  of  Mahomet,  my  dear  Fak- 
reddin, have  done  !  let  us  proceed  to  your  val- 
ley and  enjoy  the  fruits  that  Heaven  hath 
vouchsafed  you."  The  hint  of  proceeding 
put  all  into  motion.  The  venerable  attendants 
of  the  emir  set  forward  somewhat  slowly,  but 
Vathek,  having  ordered  his  little  pages,  in 
private  to  goad  on  the  dromedaries,  loud  fits 
of  laugliter  broke  forth  from  the  cages,  for  the 
unwieldy  curveting  of  these  poor  beasts,  and 
the  ridiculous  distress  of  their  superannuated 
riders,  afforded  the  ladies  no  small  entertain- 
ment. 

They  descended,  however,  unhurt  into  the 
valley,  by  the  large  steps  which  the  emir  had 
cut  in  tlie  rock  ;  and  already  the  murmuring 
of  streams  and  the  rustling  of  leaves  began 
to  catch  their  attention.  The  cavalcade  soon 
entered  a  path,  which  was  skirted  by  flowering 
shrubs,  and  extended  to  a  vast  wood  of  palm- 
trees,  whose  branches  overspread  a  building 
of  hewn  stone.  This  edifice  was  crowned  with 
nine  domes,  and  adorned  wtih  as  many  portals 
of  bronze,  on  which  was  engraven  tlie  follow- 
ing inscription : 


70  VATHEK. 

"  This  is  the  asylum  of  pilgrims,  the  refuge 
of  travelers,  and  the  depository  of  secrets  for 
all  parts  of  the  world." 

Nine  pages  beautiful  as  the  day,  and  clothed 
in  robes  of  Egyptian  linen,  very  long  and  very 
modest  were  standing  at  each  door.  They 
received  the  whole  retinue  with  an  easy  and 
inviting  air.  Four  of  the  most  amiable  placed 
the  Caliph  on  a  magnificent  taktrevan  ;  four 
others,  somewhat  less  graceful,  took  charge  of 
Bababalouk,  who  capered  for  joy  at  the  snug 
little  cabin  that  fell  to  his  share  ;  the  pages 
that  remained,  waited  on  the  rest  of  the  train. 

When  everything  masculine  was  gone  out 
of  sight,  the  gate  of  a  large  enclosure  on  the 
right  turned  on  its  harmonious  hinges,  and  a 
young  female  of  a  slender  form  came  forth. 
Her  light  brown  hair  floated  in  the  hazy  breeze 
of  the  twilight.  A  troop  of  young  maidens, 
like  the  Pleiades,  attended  her  on  tiptoe.  They 
hastened  to  the  pavilions  that  contained  the 
sultanas  ;  and  the  young  lady  gracefully  bend- 
ing said  to  them : 

"  Charming  princesses,  everything  is  ready  ; 
we  have  prepared  beds  for  your  repose,  and 
strewed  your  apartments  Avith  jasmine  ;  no  in- 
sects Avill  keep  off  slumber  from  visiting  your 
eyelids  ;  we  will  dispel  them  with  a  thousand 
plumes.  Come  then,  amiable  ladies  !  refresh 
your  delicate  feet  and  your  ivory  limbs  in 
baths  of  rose-water,  and  by  the  light  of  per- 
fumed lamps  your  servants  will  amuse  you 
with  tales." 

The  sultanas  accepted  with  pleasure  these 
obliging  offers,  and  followed  the  young  lady  to 
the  emir's  harem,  where  we  must  for  a  moment 
leave  them  and  return  to  the  Caliph. 

Vathek  found  himself  beneath  a  vast  dome 
illuminated  by  a  thousand  lamps  of  rock  crys- 
tal ;  as  many  vases  of  the  same  material,  filled 
with  excellent  sherbet,  sparkled   on  a   latge 


VATHEK.  71 

table,  where  a  profusion  of  viands  were  spread. 
Amongst  others  were  sweetbreads  stewed  in 
milk  of  almonds,  saffron  soups,  and  lamb  a  la 
creme,  of  all  of  which  the  Caliph  was  amaz- 
ingly fond.  He  took  of  each  as  much  as  he 
was  able ;  testified  his  sense  of  the  emir's  friend- 
ship by  the  ga3^ety  of  his  heart ;  and  made  the 
dwarfs  dance  against  their  will;  for  these  little 
devotees  durst  not  refuse  the  commander  of 
the  faithful.  At  last  he  spread  himself  on 
the  sofa  and  slept  sounder  th^i-n  he  had  ever 
before. 

Beneath  this  dome  a  general  silence  pre- 
vailed, for  there  was  nothing  to  disturb  it  but 
the  jaws  of  Bababalouk,  who  had  untrussed 
himself  to  eat  with  greater  advantage,  being 
anxious  to  make  amends  for  his  fast  in  the 
mountains.  As  his  spirits  Aver^f^  too  high  to  ad- 
mit of  his  sleeping,  and  not  loving  to  be  idle, 
he  proposed  Avith  himself  to  visit  the  harem, 
and  repair  to  his  charge  of  the  ladies,  to  ex- 
amine if  they  had  been  properly  lubricated 
with  the  balm  of  Mecca,  if  their  eyebrows  and 
tresses  were  in  order,  and,  in  a  word,  to  per- 
form all  the  little  offices  they  might  need.  He 
sought  for  a  long  time  together,  but  without 
being  able  to  find  out  the  door.  He  durst  not 
speak  aloud  for  fear  of  disturbing  the  Caliph, 
and  not  a  soul  was  stirring  in  the  precincts  of 
the  palace.  He  almost  despaired  of  effecting 
his  purpose,  when  a  low  whispering  just 
reached  his  ear :  it  came  from  the  dwarfs,  who 
were  returned  to  their  old  occupation,  and  for 
the  nine  hundredth  and  ninety-ninth  time  in 
their  lives  were  reading  over  the'  Koran.  They 
very  politely  invited  Bababalouk  to  be  of  their 
party,  but  his  head  was  full  of  other  concerns. 
The  dwarfs,  though  scandalized  at  his  disso- 
lute morals,  directed  him  to  the  apartments  he 
wanted  to  find.  His  way  thither  lay  through 
a  hundred    dark  corridors,  alon^   which  he 


72  VATHEE. 

groped  as  he  went,  and  at  last  began  to  catch, 
irom  the  extremity  of  a  passage,  the  charming 
gossiping  of  women,  which  not  a  little  de- 
lighted his  heart. 

'^  Ah,  ah  !  what,  not  yet  asleep  ?  "  cried  he, 
and  taking  long  strides  as  he  spoke,  "  did  you 
not  suspect  me  of  abjuring  my  charge  ?  I 
stayed  but  to  finish  what  my  master  had  left." 

Two  of  the  black  eunuclis,  on  hearing  a 
voice  so  loud,  detached  a  party  in  haste,  sabre 
(n  hand,  to  discover  the  cause,  but  presently 
iv^s  repeated  on  all  sides : 

" ' Tis  only  Bababalouk,  no  one  but  Baba- 
Dalouk ! " 

"I'his  circumspect  guardian,  having  gone  up 
to  a  tiiin  veil  of  carnation-color  silk  that  hung 
before  the  doorway,  distinguished,  by  means  of 
a  softenec^  splendor  that  shone  through  it,  an 
oval  bath  01  dark  porphyry  surrounded  by  cur- 
tains festooned  in  large  folds.  Through  the 
apertures  between  them,  as  they  were  not 
drawn  close,  groups  of  young  slaves  were  vis- 
ble,  amongst  whom  Bababalouk  perceived  his 
pupils  indulgingiy  expanding  their  arms,  as  if 
to  embrace  the  perfumed  water,  and  refresh 
themselves  after  tfieir  fatigues.  The  looks  of 
tender  languor,  tlieir  confidential  whispers, 
and  the  enchanting  smiles  with  which  they 
were  imparted,  the  exquisite  fragrance  of  the 
roses,  all  combined  to  inspire  a  voluptuousness 
which  even  Bababalouk  himself  was  scarce  able 
to  withstand. 

He  summoned  up,  however,  his  usual  solem- 
nity, and  in  the  peremptory  tone  of  authority 
commanded  the  ladies  instantly  to  leave  the 
bath.  Whilst  he  was  issuing  these  mandates, 
the  young  Nouronihar,  daughter  of  the  emir, 
who  was  sprightly  as  an  antelope,  and  full  of 
wanton  gayety,  beckoned  one  of  her  slaves  to 
{et  down  the  great  swing,  which  was  suspended 
to  the  ceiling  by  cords  of  silk,  and  whilst  this 


VATHEK.  73 

was  doing  winked  to  her  companions  in  the 
bath,  who,  chagrined  to  be  forced  from  so 
soothing  a  state  of  indolence,  began  to  twist 
it  round  Bababalouk,  and  tease  him  with  a 
thousand  vagaries. 

When  Nouronihar  perceived  that  he  was  ex- 
hausted with  fatigue,  she  accosted  him  with  an 
arch  air  of  respectful  concern,  and  said : 

"  My  lord,  it  is  not  by  any  means  decent 
that  the  chief  eunuch  of  the  Caliph  our  sover- 
eign should  thus  continue  standing  :  deign  but 
to  recline  your  graceful  person  upon  the  sofa, 
which  will  burst  with  vexation  if  it  have  not 
the  honor  to  receive  you." 

Caught  by  these  flattering  accents,  Baba- 
balouk gallantly  replied : 

"  Delight  of  the  apple  of  my  eye !  I  accept 
the  invitation  of  thy  honeyed  lips,  and,  to  say 
truth,  my  senses  are  dazzled  with  the  radiance 
that  beams  from  thy  charms." 

"  Repose,  then,  at  your  ease,"  replied  the 
beauty,  and  placed  him  on  the  pretended  sofa, 
which,  quicker  than  lightning,  gave  way  all  at 
once.  The  rest  of  the  women,  having  aptly 
conceived  her  design,  sprang  naked  from  the 
bath  and  plied  the  swing  with  such  unmerciful 
jerks,  that  it  swept  through  the  whole  compass 
of  a  very  lofty  dome,  and  took  from  the  poor 
victim  all  power  of  respiration.  Sometimes 
his  feet  raised  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  at 
others  the  skylight  almost  flattened  his  nose. 
In  vain  did  he  pierce  the  air  with  the  cries  of 
a  voice  that  resembled  the  ringing  of  a  cracked 
basin,  for  their  peals  of  laughter  were  still 
more  predominant. 

Nouronihar,  in  the  inebriety  of  youthful 
spirits,  being  used  only  to  eunuchs  of  ordinary 
harems,  and  having  never  seen  anything  so 
royal  and  disgusting,  was  far  more  diverted 
than  all  of  the  rest.  She  began  to  parody  some 
Persian  verses,  and  sung  with  an  accent  most 
denaurely  piquant : 


74  VATHEK. 

"  O  gentle  white  dove  as  thou  soar'st  through  the  air, 
Vouchsafe  one  kind  glance  on  the  mate  of  thy  love  : 
Melodious  Philomel,  I  am  thy  rose; 
Warble  some  couplet  to  ravish  my  heart  !  " 

The  sultanas  and  their  slaves,  stimulated  by 
these  pleasantries,  persevered  at  the  swing 
with  such  unremitted  assiduity,  that  at  length 
the  cord  which  had  secured  it  snapped  suddenly 
asunder,  and  Bababalouk  fell  floundering  like 
a  turtle  to  the  bottom  of  the  bath.  This  acci- 
dent occasioned  a  universal  shout.  Twelve 
little  doors  till  now  unobserved  flew  open  at 
once,  and  the  ladies  in  an  instant  made  their 
escape,  after  throwing  all  the  towels  on  his 
head,  and  putting  out  the  lights  that  remained. 

The  deplorable  animal,  in  water  to  the  chin, 
overwhelmed  with  darkness,  and  unable  to  ex- 
tricate himself  from  the  warp  that  embarrassed 
him,  was  still  doomed  to  hear,  for  his  further 
consolation,  the  fresh  bursts  of  merriment  his 
disaster  occasioned.  He  bustled  but  in  vain 
to  get  from  the  bath,  for  the  margin  was  be- 
come so  slippery  with  the  oil  spilt  in  breaking 
the  lamps,  that  at  every  effort  he  slid  back  with 
a  plunge,  which  resounded  aloud  through  the 
hollow  of  the  dome.  These  cursed  peals  of 
laughter  at  every  relapse  were  redoubled,  and 
he,  who  thought  the  place  infested  rather  by 
devils  than  women,  resolved  to  cease  groping, 
and  abide  in  the  bath,  where  he  amused  himself 
with  soliloquies,  interspersed  with  imprecations, 
of  which  his  malicious  neighbors,  reclining  on 
down,  suffered  not  an  accent  to  escape.  In 
this  delectable  plight  the  morning  surprised 
him.  The  Caliph,  wondering  at  his  absence, 
had  caused  him  to  be  everywhere  sought  for. 
At  last  he  was  drawn  forth  almost  smothered 
from  the  wisp  of  linen,  and  wet  even  to  tlie 
marrow.  Limping,  and  chattering  his  teeth, 
he  appeared  before  his  master,  who  inquired 
what  was  the  matter,  and  how  he  came  soused 
in  so  strange  a  pickle. 


VATHEK.  75 

"And  why  did  you  enter  this  cursed  lodge  ?  ** 
answered  Bababalouk,  grufliy.  "  Ought  a  mon- 
arch like  you  to  visit  with  his  harem  the  abode 
of  a  gray-bearded  emir  who  knows  nothing  of 
life  !  And  with  what  gracious  damsels  does 
the  place  too  abound  !  Fancy  to  yourself  \\o\\ 
they  have  soaked  me  like  a  burnt  crust,  and 
made  me  dance  like  a  jack-pudding  the  live- 
long night  through  on  their  damnable  svv'ing. 
What  an  excellent  lesson  for  your  sultanas  to 
follow,  into  whom  I  have  instilled  such  reserve 
and  decorum  !  " 

Vathek,  comprehending  not  a  syllable  of  all 
this  invective,  obliged  him  to  relate  minutely 
the  transaction ;  but  instead  of  sympathizing 
with  the  miserable  sufferer,  he  laughed  im- 
moderately at  the  device  of  the  swing,  and  the 
figure  of  Bababalouk  mounting  upon  it.  The 
stung  eunuch  could  scarcely  preserve  the  sem- 
blance of  respect. 

"Ay  laugh,  my  lord  !  laugh,"  said  he,  "  but 
I  wish  this  Nouronihar  would  play  some  trick 
on  you ;  she  is  too  wicked  to  spare  even  ma- 
jesty itself." 

These  words  made  for  the  present  but  a  slight 
impression  on  the  Caliph,  but  they  not  long 
after  recurred  to  his  mind. 

This  conversation  was  cut  short  by  Fakred- 
din,  who  came  to  request  that  Yathek  would 
join  in  the  prayers  and  ablutions  to  be  solem- 
nized on  a  spacious  meadow,  watered  by  innu- 
merable streams.  The  Caliph  found  the  Ava- 
ters  refreshing,  but  the  prayers  abominably 
irksome.  He  diverted  himself,  however,  with 
the   multitude    of   Calenders,*  Santons,t  and 

*  These  were  a  sort  of  men  amongst  the  Mahometans 
v(\\o  abandoned  father  and  mother,  wife  and  children,  re- 
lations and  possessions,  to  wander  throngli  the  world,  un- 
der a  pretense  of  religion,  entirely  subsisting  on  the  for- 
tuitous bounty  of  those  they  had  the  address  to  dupe.— 
Jlerbelrd,  Suppl.  p.  204. 

t  A  body  of  religionists  who  were  also  called  AbdalSj 


76  VATHEIC 

Dervises,*  who  were  continually  coming  and 
going,  but  especially  with  the  Brahmins,!  Fa- 
kirs,J  and  other  enthusiasts,  who  had  traveled 
from  the  heart  of  India,  and  halted  on  their 
way  with  the  emir.  The  latter  had  each  of 
them  some  mummery  pecuUar  to  himself.  One 
dragged  a  huge  chain  wherever  he  went, 
another  an  orang-outang,  whilst  a  third  was 
furnished  with  scourges,  and  all  performed  to 
a  charm.  Some  clambered  up  trees,  holding 
one  foot  in  the  air  ;  others  poised  themselves 
over  a  fire,  and  without  mercy  filliped  their 
noses.  There  was  some  amongst  them  that 
cherished  vermin,  which  were  not  ungrateful 
in  requiting  their  caresses.  These  rambling 
fanatics  revolted  the  hearts  of  the  Dervises, 
and  Calenders,  and  Santons ;  however,  the  ve- 
hemence of  their  aversion  soon  subsided  under 
the  hope  that  the  presence  of  the  Caliph  would 
cure  their  folly,  and  convert  them  to  the  Mus- 
sulman faith.  But  alas  !  how  great  was  their 
disappointment !  for  Vathek,  instead  of  preach- 
ing to  them,  treated  them  as  buffoons  ;  bade 
them  present  his  compliments  to  Visnow  and 
Ixhora,  and  discovered  a  predilection  for  a 
squat  old  man  from  the  Isle  of  Serendib,  who 
was  more  ridiculous  than  any  of  the  rest. 

"  Come,"  said  he,  "  for  the  love  of  your  gods, 
bestow  a  few  slaps  on  your  chaps  to  amuse 
me." 

and  pretended  to  be  inspired  with  the  most  enthusiastic 
raptures  of  divine  love.  They  were  regarded  by  the  vulgar 
as  saints. — Oleariouii,  torn.  i.  p  971.     Herhelot,  p.  5. 

*  The  term  dervlse  signifies  a  poor  man,  and  is  the  gen- 
erac  appellation  by  which  a  religious  sect  amongst  the 
Mahometans  is  named. 

t  These  constituted  the  principal  caste  of  the  Indians, 
according  to  whose  doctrines  Brahma,  from  whom  they 
are  called,  is  the  first  of  the  throe  created  beings  by  whom 
the  world  was  made.  This  Brahma  is  said  to  Jiave  com- 
municated to  the  Indians  four  books,  in  which  all  the 
sciences  and  ceremonies  of  their  religion  a  e  composed. 

J  Tiiis  sect  were  a  kind  of  relisjious  anchorites,  who  spent 
their  whole  lives  in  the  severest  austerities  and  mortifica- 
tion. 


The  old  fellow,  offended  at  siicli  an  address, 
began  loudly  to  weep  ;  but  as  he  betrayed  a 
villainous  drivelling  in  his  tears,  the  Caliph 
turned  his  back  and  listened  to  Bababalouk, 
who  whispered,  whilst  he  held  the  umbrella 
over  him  : 

"  Your  majesty  should  be  cautious  of  this 
odd  assembly,  which  hath  been  collected  I 
know  not  for  what.  Is  it  necessary  to  exhibit 
such  spectacles  to  a  mighty  potentate,  with 
interludes  of  talapoins  more  mangy  than  dogs? 
Were  I  you,  I  would  command  a  fire  to  be 
kindled,  and  at  once  purge  the  earth  of  the 
emir,  his  harem,  and  all  his  menageries." 

"Tush,  dolt,"  answered  Vathek,  "and know 
that  all  this  infinitely  charms  me.  Nor  shall 
I  leave  the  meadow  till  I  have  visited  every 
hive  of  these  pious  mendicant." 

Wherever  the  Caliph  directed  his  course, 
objects  of  pity  were  sure  to  swarm  round  him  : 
the  blind,  the  purblind,  smarts  without  noses, 
damsels  without  ears,  each  to  extol  the  muni- 
ficence of  Fakreddin,  who,  as  well  as  his  at- 
tendant gray  beards,  dealt  about  gratis  plasters 
and  cataplasms  to  all  that  applied.  At  noon 
a  superb  corps  of  cripples  made  its  appearance  ; 
and  soon  after  advanced  by  platoons  on  the 
plain  the  completest  association  of  invalids 
that  had  ever  been  embodied  till  then.  The 
blind  went  groping  with  the  blind ;  the  lame 
limped  on  together;  and  the  maimed  made 
gestures  to  each  other  with  the  only  arm  that 
remained.  The  sides  of  a  considerable  water- 
fall were  crowded  by  the  deaf,  amongst  whom 
were  some  from  Pegu,  with  ears  uncommonly 
handsome  and  large,  but  were  still  less  able  to 
hear  than  the  rest.  Nor  were  there  wanting 
others  in  abundance  with  hump  backs,  wenny 
necks,  and  even  horns  of  an  exquisite  polish. 

The  emir,  to  aggrandize  the  solemnity  of 
the  festival  in  honor  of  his  illustrious  visitant, 


78  VATHEK. 

ordered  the  turf  to  be  spread  on  all  sides  with 
skins  and  table  cloths,  upon  which  were  served 
up  for  the  good  Mussulmans  pillaus  of  every 
hue,  with  other  orthodox  dishes,  and  by  the 
express  order  of  Vathek,  who  was  shamefully 
tolerant,  small  plates  of  abominations  for  re- 
galing the  rest.  This  prince,  on  seeing  so 
many  mouths  put  in  motion,  began  to  think  it 
time  for  employing  his  own.  In  spite,  there- 
fore, of  every  remonstrance  from  the  chief  of 
his  eunuchs,  he  resolved  to  have  a  dinner 
dressed  on  the  spot.  The  complaisant  emir 
immediately  gave  orders  for  a  table  to  be 
placed  in  the  shade  of  the  willows.  The  first 
service  consisted  of  lish,  which  they  drew  from 
a  river  flowing  over  sands  of  gold,  at  the  foot 
of  a  lofty  hill :  these  were  broiled  as  fast  as 
taken,  and  served  up  with  a  sauce  of  vinegar 
and  small  herbs  that  grew  on  Mount  Sinai; 
for  everything  with  the  emir  was  excellent  and 
pious. 

The  dessert  was  not  quite  set  on  when  the 
sound  of  lutes  from  the  hill  was  repeated  by 
the  echoes  of  the  neighboring  mountains.  The 
Caliph,  with  an  emotion  of  pleasure  and  sur- 
prise, liad  no  sooner  raised  up  his  head  than  a 
handful  of  jasmine  dropped  on  his  face.  An 
abundance  of  tittering  succeeded  this  frolic, 
and  instantly  appeared  througli  the  bushes  the 
elegant  forms  of  several  young  females,  skip- 
ping and  bounding  like  roes.  The  fragrance 
diffused  from  their  hair  struck  the  sense  of 
Vathek,  who  in  an  ecstasy,  suspending  his  re- 
past, said  to  Bababalouk  : 

"  Are  the  Peris  *  come  down  from  their 
spheres  ?  Note  her  in  particular  whose  form 
is  so  perfect,  venturously  running  on  the 
brink  of  the  precipice,   and  turning  back  her 

*  The  word  Peri,  in  the  Persian  language,  signifies  that 
beautiful  race  of  ci-eatures  Mhich  constitutes  the  link  be- 
tween angels  and  men. 


VATBEK.  79 

head  as  regardless  of  nothing  but  the  graceful 
flow  of  her  robe.  With  what  captivating  im- 
patience doth  she  contend  with  the  bushes  for 
her  veil !  could  it  be  she  who  threw  the  jas- 
mine at  me  ?  " 

"  Ay,  she  it  was ;  and  you  too  would  she 
throw  from  the  top  of  the  rock,"  answered 
Bababalouk,  "  for  that  is  my  good  friend  Nou- 
ronihar,  who  so  kindly  len.t  me  her  swing. 
My  dear  lord  and  master,"  added  he,  twisting 
a  twig  that  hung  by  the  rind  from  a  willow, 
let  me  correct  her  for  her  want  of  respect :  the 
emir  will  have  no  reason  to  complain,  since 
(bating  what  I  owe  to  his  piety)  he  is  much  to 
be  censured  for  keeping  a  troop  of  girls  on  the 
mountains,  whose  sharp  air  gives  their  blood 
too  brisk  a  circulation." 

"Peace,  blasphemer!"  said  the  Caliph: 
"  speak  not  thus  of  her  who  over  her  moun- 
tains leads  my  heart  a  willing  captive.  Con- 
trive, rather,  that  my  eyes  may  be  fixed  upon 
hers — that  I  may  respire  her  sweet  breath, 
as  she  bounds  panting  along  these  delightful 
wilds ! " 

On  saying  these  words,  Vathek  extended  his 
arms  towards  the  hill,  and  directing  his  eyes 
with  an  anxiety  unknown  to  him  before,  en- 
deavored to  keep  within  view  the  object  that 
inthralled  his  soul;  but  her  course  was  as 
difficult  to  follow  as  the  flight  of  one  of  those 
beautiful  blue  butterflies  of  Cachmere  which 
are  at  once  so  volatile  and  rare. 

The  Caliph,  not  satisfied  with  seeing,  wished 
also  to  hear  Nouronihar,  and  eagerly  turned  to 
catch  the  sound  of  her  voice.  At  last  he 
distinguished  her  whispering  to  one  of  her 
companions  behind  the  thicket  from  whence  she 
had  thrown  the  jasmine  : 

''  A  Caliph,  it  must  be  owned,  is  a  fine 
thing  to  see,  but  my  little  Gulchenrouz  is  much 
more  amiable ;  one  look  of  his  hair  is  of  more 


80  VAfEEK. 

value  to  me  than  the  richest  embroidery  of  the 
Indies.  I  had  rather  that  his  teeth  should 
mischievously  press  my  finger,  than  the  richest 
ring  of  the  imperial  treasure.  Where  have  you 
left  him,  Sutlememe  ?  and  why  is  he  now  not 
here  ?  " 

The  agitated  Caliph  still  wished  to  hear 
more,  but  she  immediately  retired  with  all  her 
attendants.  The  fond  monarch  pursued  her 
with  his  eyes  till  she  was  gone  out  of  sight,  and 
then  continued  like  a  bewildered  and  benighted 
traveler,  from  whom  the  clouds  had  obscured 
the  constellation  that  guided  his  way.  The. 
curtain  of  night  seemed  dropped  before  him — 
everything  appeared  discolored.  The  falling 
waters  filled  his  soul  with  dejection,  and  his 
tears  trickled  down  the  jasmines  he  had  caught 
from  Nouronihar,  and  placed  in  his  inflamed 
bosom.  He  snatched  up  a  shining  pebble  to 
remind  him  of  the  scene  where  he  felt  the  first 
tumults  of  love.  Two  hours  were  elapsed,  and 
evening  drew  on  before  he  could  resolve  to  de- 
part from  the  place.  He  often,  but  in  vain, 
attempted  to  go  :  a  soft  languor  enervated  the 
powers  of  his  mind.  Extending  himself  on  the 
brink  of  the  stream,  he  turned  his  eyes  towards 
the  blue  summits  of  the  mountain,  and  ex- 
claimed : 

"  What  concealest  thou  behind  thee  ?  what 
is  passing  in  thy  solitudes  ?  Whither  is  she 
gone?  O  heaven!  perhaps  she  is  now  wan- 
dering in  the  grottos  with  her  happy  Gulchen- 
rouz ! " 

In  the  mean  time  the  damps  began  to  de- 
scend, and  the  emir,  solicitous  for  the  healtli 
of  the  Caliph,  ordered  the  imperial  litter  to  be 
brought.  Vathek,  absorbed  in  his  reveries, 
was  imperceptibly  removed  and  conveyed  back 
to  the  saloon  that  received  him  the  evening 
before. 

But  let  us  leave  the  Caliph  immersed  in  his 


VATHEK.  ^i 

new  passion,  and  attend  Nouronihar  beyond 
the  rocks,  where  she  had  again  joined  her  be- 
loved Gulchenrouz.  This  Gulchenrouz  was 
the  son  of  Ali  Hassan,  brother  to  the  emir, 
and  the  most  delicate  and  lovely  creature  in 
the  world.  Ali  Hassan,  who  had  been  absent 
ten  years  on  a  voyage  to  the  unknown  seas, 
committed  at  his  departure  this  child, .the  only 
survivor  of  many,  to  the  care  and  protection 
of  his  brother.  Gulchenrouz  could  Avrite  in 
various  characters  with  precision,  and  paint 
upon  vellum  the  most  elegant  arabesques  tliat 
fancy  could  devise.  His  sweet  voice  accompa- 
nied the  lute  in  the  most  enchanting  manner ; 
and  when  he  sung  the  loves  of  Megnoun  and 
Leileh,  or  some  unfortunate  lovers  of  ancient 
days,  tears  insensibly  overflowed  the  cheeks  of 
his  auditors.  The  verses  he  composed  (for, 
like  Megnoun,  he  too  was  a  poet)  inspired  that 
unresisting  languor  so  frequently  fatal  to  the 
female  heart.  The  women  all  doated  upon 
him,  for,  though  he  had  j^assed  his  thirteenth 
year,  they  still  detained  him  in  the  har^m. 
His  dancing  was  liglit  as  the  gossamer  waved 
by  the  zephyrs  of  spring;  but  his  arms,  which 
twined  so  gracefully  v  1th  those  of  the  young 
girls  in  the  dance,  could  neither  dart  the  lance 
in  the  chase,  nor  curb  the  steeds  that  pastured 
his  uncle's  domains.  Tlie  bow,  however,  he 
drew  with  a  certain  aim,  and  would  have  ex- 
celled his  competitors  in  the  race,  could  be 
have  broken  the  ties  that  bound  him  to  Nouro- 
nihar. 

The  two  brothers  had  mutually  engaged 
their  children  to  each  other ;  and  Nouronihar 
loved  her  cousin  more  than  her  eyes.  Both 
had  the  same  tastes  and  amusements ;  the 
same  long  languishnig  looks  ;  the  same  tresses ; 
the  same  fair  complexions  ;  and  when  Gulchen- 
rouz appeared  in  the  dress  of  his  cousin,  he 
seemed  to  be  more  feminine  than  even  herself. 


g2  VATHt^i^, 

If  at  any  time  he  left  the  harem  to  visit  Fak- 
reddin,  it  was  with  all  the  bashf  ulness  of  a  fawn 
that  consciously  ventures  from  the  lair  of  its 
dam ;  he  was,  however,  wanton  enough  to  mock 
the  solemn  old  gray-beards  to  whom  he  was 
subject,  though  sure  to  be  rated  without  mercy 
in  return.  Whenever  this  happened,  he  would 
})lunge  into  the  recesses  of  the  harem,  and 
sobbing  take  refuge  in  the  arms  of  Nouronihar, 
who  loved  even  his  faults  beyond  the  virtues 
of  others. 

It  fell  out  this  evening  that  after  leaving 
the  Caliph  in  the  meadow,  she  ran  with  Gul- 
chenrouz  over  the  greensward  of  the  mountain 
tliat  sheltered  the  vale,  where  Fakreddin  had 
chosen  to  reside.  The  sun  was  dilated  on  the 
edge  of  the  horizon ;  and  the  young  people, 
whose  fancies  were  lively  and  inventive,  imag- 
ined they  beheld  in  the  gorgeous  clouds  of  the 
west  the  domes  of  Shadukiam  and  Ambreadad, 
where  the  Peris  have  fixed  their  abode.  Nouro- 
nihar,  sitting  on  the  slope  of  the  hill,  supported 
on  her  knees  the  perfumed  head  of  Gulchen- 
rouz.  The  air  was  calm,  and  no  sound  stirred 
but  the  voices  of  other  young  girls  who  were 
drawing  cool  water  fron?>  the  streams  below. 
The  unexpected  arrival  of  the  Caliph,  and  the 
splendor  that  marked  his  appearance,  had  al- 
ready filled  with  emotion  the  ardent  soul  of 
Nouronihar.  Her  vanity  irresistibly  prompted 
her  to  pique  the  prince's  attention,  and  this 
she  before  took  good  care  to  effect  whilst  he 
picked  up  the  jasmine  she  had  thrown  upon 
him.  But  when  Gulchenrouz  asked  after  the 
flowers  he  had  culled  for  her  bosom,  Nouro- 
nihar was  all  in  confusion.  She  hastily  kissed 
his  forehead,  arose  in  a  flutter,  and  walked 
with  unequal  steps  on  the  border  of  the  preci- 
pice. Night  advanced,  and  the  pure  gold  of 
the  setting  sun  had  yielded  to  a  sanguine  red, 
the  glow  of  which,  like  the  reflection  of  a  burn- 


fATHEK.  88 

ing  furnace,  flushed  Nouronihar's  animated 
countenance.  Gulchenrouz,  alarmed  at  the 
agitation  of  his  cousin,  said  to  her  with  a  sup- 
plicating accent : 

"  Let  us  be  gone  ;  the  sky  looks  portentous : 
the  tamarisks  tremble  more  than  common ;  and 
the  raw  wind  chills  my  very  heart.  Come,  let 
us  be  gone,  'tis  a  melancholy  night." 

Then,  taking  hold  of  her  hand,  he  drew  it 
towards  the  path  he  besought  her  to  go.  Nou- 
ronihar  unconsciously  followed  the  attraction, 
for  a  thousand  strange  imaginations  occupied 
her  spirit.  She  passed  the  large  round  of 
honeysuckles,  her  favorite  resort,  without  ever 
vouchsafing  it  a  glance,  yet  Gulchenrouz  could 
not  help  snatching  off  a  few  shoots  in  his  way, 
though  he  ran  as  if  a  wild  beast  were  behind. 

The  young  females  seeing  him  approach  in 
such  haste,  and  according  to  custom  expecting 
a  dance,  instantly  assembled  in  a  circle  and 
took  each  other  by  the  hand,  but  Gulchenrouz, 
coming  up  out  of  breath,  fell  down  at  once  on 
the  grass.  This  accident  struck  with  conster- 
nation the  whole  of  this  frolicsome  party,  whilst 
Nouronihar,  half  distracted,  and  overcome  both 
by  the  violence  of  her  exercise  and  the  tumult 
of  her  thoughts,  sunk  feebly  down  at  his  side, 
cherished  his  cold  hands  in  her  bosom,  and 
chafed  his  temples  with  a  fragrant  unguent. 
At  length  he  came  to  liimself,  and,  wrapping 
up  his  head  in  the  robe  of  his  cousin,  entreated 
that  she  would  not  return  to  the  harem.  He 
was  afraid  of  being  snapped  at  by  Shaban,  his 
tutor,  a  wrinkled  old  eunuch  of  a  surly  disposi- 
tion, for,  having  interrupted  the  stated  walk  of 
Nouronihar,  he  dreaded  lest  the  churl  should 
take  it  amiss.  The  whole  of  this  sprightly  group, 
sitting  round  upon  a  mossy  knoll,  began  to 
entertain  themselves  with  various  pastimes, 
whilst  their  superintendents  the  eunuchs  were 
gravely  conversing  at  a  distance.     The  nurse 


84  VAfUEK. 

of  the  emir's  daughter,  observing  her  pupil  sit 
ruminating  with  her  eyes  on  the  ground,  en- 
deavored to  amuse  her  with  diverting  tales,  to 
which  Gulchenrouz,  who  had  already  forgotten 
his  inquietudes,  listened  with  a  breathless  at- 
tention. He  laughed;  he  clapped  his  hands  ; 
and  passed  a  hundred  little  tricks  on  the  wliole 
of  the  company,  without  omitting  the  eunuchs, 
whom  he  provoked  to  run  after  him,  in  spite  of 
their  age  and  decrepitude. 

During  these  recurrences  the  moon,  arose, 
the  wind  subsided,  and  the  evening  became  so 
serene  and  inviting  that  a  resolution  was  taken 
to  sup  on  the  spot.  Sutlememe,  who  excelled 
in  dressing  a  salad,  having  filled  large  bowls 
of  porcelain  with  eggs  of  small  birds,  curds 
turned  with  citron  juice,  slices  of  cucumber, 
and  the  inmost  leaves  of  delicate  herbs,  handed 
it  round  from  one  to  another,  and  gave  each 
their  shares  in  a  large  spoon  of  cocknos.  Gul- 
chenrouz, nestling  as  usual  in  the  bosom  of 
Nouronihar,  pouted  out  his  vermilion  little 
lips  against  the  offer  of  Sutlememe,  and  would 
take  it  only  from  the  hand  of  his  cousin,  on 
whose  mouth  he  hung  like  a  bee  inebriated 
with  the  quintessence  of  flowers.  One  of  the 
eunuchs  ran  to  fetch  melons,  whilst  others 
were  employed  in  show^ering  down  almonds 
from  the  branches  that  overhung  this  amiable 
party. 

In  the  midst  of  this  festive  scene  there  ap- 
peared a  light  on  the  top  of  the  highest  mount- 
ain, which  attracted  the  notice  of  every  eye. 
This  light  was  not  less  bright  than  the  moon 
when  at  full,  and  might  have  been  taken  for 
her,  had  it  not  been  that  the  moon  was  already 
risen.  The  phenomenon  occasioned  a  general 
surprise,  and  no  one  could  conjecture  the  cause 
It  could  not  be  a  fire,  for  the  light  was  clear 
and  bluish  ;  nor  had  meteors  ever  been  seen 
of  that  magnitude  or  splendor.     This  strange 


VATHEK.  85 

light  faded  for  a  moment,  and  immediately  re- 
newed its  brightness.  It  first  appeared  mo- 
tionless at  the  foot  of  the  rock,  whence  it  dart- 
ed in  an  instant  to  sparkle  in  a  thicket  of  palm- 
trees  ;  from  thence  it  glided  along  the  torrent, 
and  at  last  fixed  in  a  glen  that  was  narrow  and 
dark.  The  moment  it  had  taken  its  direction, 
Gulchenrouz,  whose  heart  always  trembled  at 
any  thing  sudden  or  rare,  drew  Nourouihar  by 
the  robe,  and  anxiously  requested  her  to  return 
to  the  harem.  The  women  were  importunate 
in  seconding  the  entreaty,  but  the  curiosity  of 
the  emir's  daughter  prevailed.  She  not  only 
refused  to  go  back,  but  resolved  at  all  hazards 
to  pursue  the  appearance.  Whilst  they  were 
debating  what  was  best  to  be  done,  the  light 
shot  forth  so  dazzling  a  blaze  that  they  all 
fled  away  shrieking.  Nouronihar  followed  them 
a  few  steps,  but,  coming  to  the  turn  of  a  little 
by-path,  stopped,  and  went  back  alone.  As 
she  ran  with  an  alertness  peculiar  to  herself, 
it  was  not  long  before  she  came  to  the  place 
where  they  had  just  been  supping.  The  globe 
of  fire  now  appeared  stationary  in  the  glen, 
and  burned  in  majestic  stillness.  Nouronihar, 
compressing  her  hands  upon  her  bosom,  hes- 
itated for  some  moments  to  advance.  The  sol- 
itude of  her  situation  was  new ;  the  silence  oJ 
the  night  awful;  and  every  object  inspired 
sensations  which  till  then  she  never  had  felt 
The  affright  of  Gulchenrouz  recurred  to  hei 
mind ;  and  she  a  thousand  times  turned  to  go 
back,  but  this  luminous  appearance  was  always 
before  her.  Urged  on  by  an  irresistible  im- 
pulse, she  continued  to  approach  it  in  defiance 
of  every  obstacle  that  opposed  her  progress. 

At  length  she  arrived  at  the  opening  of  the 
glen,  but,  instead  of  coming  up  to  the  light, 
she  found  herself  surrounded  by  darkness,  ex- 
cept that  at  a  considerable  distance  a  faint 
spark  glimmered  by  fits.  She  stopped  a  second 


84  VATHEK. 

time :  the  sound  of  waterfalls  mingling  their 
murmurs,  the  hollow  rustlings  amongst  the 
palm  branches,  and  tlie  funereal  screams  of  the 
birds  from  their  rifted  trunks,  all  conspired  to 
fill  her  with  terror.  She  imagined  every 
moment  that  she  trod  on  some  venomous  rep- 
tile. All  the  stories  of  malignant  Dives  and 
dismal  Ghouls  thronged  into  her  memory,  but 
her  curiosity  was  notwithstanding  more  pre- 
dominant than  her  fears.  She  therefore  firmly 
entered  a  winding  track  that  led  towards  the 
spark,  but,  being  a  stranger  to  the  path,  she  had 
not  gone  far  till  she  began  to  repent  of  her 
rashness. 

"Alas!"  said  she,  "that  I  were  but  in 
those  secure  and  illuminated  apartments  where 
my  evenings  glided  on  with  Gulchenrouz ! 
Dear  child,  how  would  thy  heart  flutter  with 
terror  wert  thou  wandering  in  these  wild  soli- 
tudes like  me ! " 

At  the  close  of  this  apostrophe  she  regained 
her  road,  and,  coming  to  steps  hewn  out  in  the 
rock,  ascended  them  undismayed.  The  light, 
which  was  now  gradually  enlarging,  appeared 
above  her  on  the  summit  of  the  mountain.  At 
length  she  distinguished  a  plaintive  and  melo- 
dious union  of  voices  proceeding  from  a  sort 
of  cavern,  that  resembled  the  dirges  which  are 
sung  over  tombs.  A  sound  likewise  like  that 
which  arises  from  the  filling  of  baths,  at  the 
same  time  struck  her  ear.  She  continued 
ascending,  and  discovered  large  wax  torches 
in  full  blaze  planted  here  and  there  in  the  fis- 
sures of  the  rock.  This  preparation  filled  her 
with  fear,  whilst  the  subtile  and  potent  odor 
which  the  torches  exhaled  caused  her  to  sink 
almost  lifeless  at  the  entrance  of  the  grot. 

Casting  her  eyes  within  in  this  kind  of  trance, 
she  beheld  a  large  cistern  of  gold  filled  with 
a  water,  whose  vapor  distilled  on  her  face  a 
(Jqw  of  the  essence  of  roses.    A  soft  symphony 


VATHEK,  87 

resounded  through  the  grot.  On  the  sides  of 
the  cistern  she  noticed  appendages  of  royalty ; 
diadems  and  feathers  of  the  heron,  all  spark- 
ling with  carbuncles.  Whilst  her  attention 
was  fixed  on  this  display  of  magnificence,  the 
music  ceased,  and  a  voice  instantly  demanded : 

"  For  what  monarch  were  these  torches  kin- 
dled, this  bath  prepared,  and  these  habiliments? 
which  belong  not  only  to  the  sovereigns  of  the 
earth,  but  even  to  the  talismanic  powers  !  " 

To  which  a  second  voice  answered : 

"  They  are  for  the  charming  daughter  of  the 
emir  Fakreddin." 

"What,"  replied  the  first,  "for  that  trifler 
who  consumes  her  time  with  a  giddy  child, 
immersed  in  softness,  and  who  at  best  can 
make  but  an  enervated  husband  ?  " 

"And  can  she,"  rejoined  the  other  voice, 
"be  amused  with  such  empty  trifles,  whilst 
the  Caliph,  the  sovereign  of  the  world,  he  who 
is  destined  to  enjoy  the  treasures  of  the  pre- 
Adamite  sultans,  a  prince  six  feet  high,  and 
whose  eyes  pervade  the  inmost  soul  of  a  fe- 
male, is  inflamed  with  the  love  of  her  ?  no,  she 
will  be  wise  enough  to  answer  that  passion 
alone  that  can  aggrandize  her  glory.  No  doubt 
she  will,  and  despise  the  puppet  of  her  fancy ; 
then  all  the  riches  this  place  contains,  as  well 
as  the  carbuncle  of  Giamschid,  shall  be  hers." 

"  You  judge  right,"  returned  the  first  voice, 
"  and  I  haste  to  Istakhar  to  prepare  the  palace 
of  subterranean  fire  for  the  reception  of  the 
bridal  pair." 

The  voices  ceased,  the  torches  were  extin- 
guished, the  most  entire  darkness  succeeded, 
and  Nouronihar,  recovering  with  a  start,  found 
herself  reclined  on  a  sofa  in  the  harem  of  her 
father.  She  clapped  her  hands,  and  imme- 
diately came  together  Gulchenrouz  and  her 
won>en,  who,  in  despair  at  having  lost  her,  had 
despatched  eunuchs  to  seek  her  in  every  direc- 


88  VATHEK. 

tion.  Shaban  appeared  with  the  rest,  and 
began  to  reprimand  her  with  an  air  of  conse- 
quence : 

*'  Little  impertinent,"  said  he,  "  whence  got 
you  false  keys  ?  or  are  you  beloved  of  some 
genius  that  hath  given  you  a  picklock  ?  I  will 
try  the  extent  of  your  power ;  come,  to  your 
chamber!  through  the  two  skylights,  and  ex- 
pect not  the  company  of  Gulchenrouz.  Be 
expeditious !  I  will  shut  you  up  in  the  double 
tower." 

At  these  menaces  Nouronihar  indignantly 
raised  her  head,  opened  on  Shaban  her  black 
eyes,  which,  since  the  important  dialogue  of 
the  enchanted  grot,  were  considerably  en- 
larged, and  said : 

"  Go,  speak  thus  to  slaves  !  but  learn  to  rev- 
erence her  who  is  born  to  give  laws,  and 
subject  all  to  her  power." 

She  was  proceeding  in  the  same  style,  but 
was  interrupted  by  a  sudden  exclamation  of — 

'*  The  Caliph  !  the  Caliph  I  " 

The  curtains  at  once  were  thrown  open,  and 
the  slaves  prostrate  in  double  rows,  whilst  poor 
little  Gulchenrouz  hid  himself  beneath  the 
elevation  of  a  sofa.  At  first  appeared  a  file  of 
black  eunuchs  trailing  after  them  long  trains 
of  muslin  embroidered  with  gold,  and  holding 
in  their  hands  censers,  which  dispensed,  as  they 
passed,  the  grateful  perfume  of  the  wood  of 
aloes.  Next  marched  Bababalouk  with  a  sol- 
emn strut,  and  tossing  his  head  as  not  over- 
pleased  at  the  visit.  Vathek  came  close  after, 
superbly  robed ;  his  gait  was  unembarrassed 
and  noble,  and  his  presence  would  have  en- 
gaged admiration,  though  he  had  not  been  the 
sovereign  of  the  world.  He  approached  Nou- 
ronihar \yith  a  throbbing  heart,  and  seemed 
enraptured  at  the  full  effulgence  of  her  ra- 
diant eyes,  of  vyhich  he  had  before  caught  but 
\\  few  glimpses ;    but  slie  instantly  depressed 


VATHEK.  S9 

them,  and  her  confusion  augmented  her 
beauty. 

Bababalouk,  who  was  a  thorough  adept  in 
coincidences  of  this  nature,  and  knew  that  the 
worst  game  should  be  played  with  the  best  face, 
immediately  made  a  signal  for  all  to  retire^ 
and  no  sooner  did  he  perceive  beneath  the 
sofa  the  little  one's  feet,  than  he  drew  him 
forth  without  ceremony,  set  him  upon  his 
shoulders,  and  lavished  on  him,  as  he  went 
off,  a  thousand  odious  caresses.  Gulchenrouz 
cried  out,  and  resisted  till  his  cheeks  became 
the  color  of  the  blossom  of  the  the  pomegranate, 
and  the  tears  that  started  into  his  ej^es  shot 
forth  a  gleam  of  indignation.  He  cast  a  sig- 
nificant glance  at  Nouronihar,  which  the  Ca- 
liph, noticing,  asked : 

"  Is  that  then  your  Gulchenrouz  ?  " 

"  Sovereign  of  the  world,"  answered  she, 
''  spare  my  cousin,  whose  innocence  and  gen- 
tleness deserve  not  your  anger  !  " 

''  Take  comfort,"  said  Vathek  with  a  smile, 
"  he  is  in  good  hands.  Bababalouk  is  fond  of 
children,  and  never  goes  without  sweetmeats 
and  comfits." 

The  daughter  of  Fakreddin  was  abashed, 
and  suffered  Gulchenrouz  to  be  borne  away 
without  adding  a  word.  The  tumult  of  her 
bosom  betrayed  her  confusion  ;  and  Vathek, 
becoming  still  more  impassioned,  gave  a  loose 
to  his  frenzy,  which  had  only  not  subdued  the 
last  faint  strugglings  of  reluctance,  when  the 
emir,  suddenly  bursting  in,  threw  his  face  upon 
the  ground  at  the  feet  of  the  Caliph,  and  said  : 

*'  Commander  of  the  faithful,  abase  not  your- 
self to  the  mea*iness  of  your  slave." 

"  No,  emir,"  replied  Vathek,  "  I  raise  her 
to  an  equality  with  myself  ;  I  declare  her  my 
wife  ;  and  the  glory  of  your  race  shall  extend 
from  one  generation  to  another." 

t*Alas!    my  lord,"  said  Fakreddin,   as   he 


90  VATHEK. 

plucked  off  the  honors  of  his  beard,  "  cut  short 
the  days  of  your  faithful  servant  rather  than 
force  him  to  depart  from  his  word.  Nouroni 
har,  as  her  hands  evince,  is  solemnly  promised 
to  Gulchenrouz,  the  son  of  my  brother,  Ali 
Hassan ;  they  are  united  also  in  heart ;  their 
faith  is  mutually  plighted ;  and  afifiances  so  sa- 
cred cannot  be  broken." 

"  What,  then,"  replied  the  Caliph,  bluntly, 
"  would  you  surrender  this  divine  beauty,  to  a 
husband  more  womanish  than  herself  ?  And 
can  you  imagine  that  I  will  suffer  her  charms 
to  decay  in  hands  so  inefficient  and  nerveless  ? 
No  !  she  is  destined  to  live  out  her  life  within 
my  embraces  ;  such  is  my  will  :  retire,  and 
disturb  not  the  night  I  devote  to  the  homage 
of  her  charms." 

The  irritated  emir  drew  forth  his  sabre, 
presented  it  to  Vathek,  and  stretching  out  his 
neck,  said  in  a  firm  tone  of  voice  : 

"  Strike  your  unhappy  host,  my  lord !  he 
has  lived  long  enough,  since  he  hath  seen  the 
prophet's  vicegerent  violate  the  rights  of  hos- 
pitality." 

At  his  uttering  these  words,  Nouronihar,  un- 
able to  support  any  longer  the  conflict  of  her 
passions,  sunk  down  in  a  swoon.  Vathek, 
both  terrified  for  her  life,  and  furious  at  an  op- 
position to  his  will,  bade  Fakreddin  assist  his 
daughter,  and  withdrew,  darting  his  terrible 
look  at  the  unfortunate  emir,  who  suddenly 
fell  backward  bathed  in  a  sweat,  cold  as  the 
damp  of  death. 

Gulchenrouz,  who  had  escaped  from  the 
hands  of  Bababalouk,  and  was  that  instant  re- 
turned, called  out  for  help  as  loudly  as  he 
could,  not  having  strength  to  afford  it  himself. 
Pale  and  panting,  the  poor  child  attempted  to 
revive  Nouronihar  by  caresses,  and  it  hap- 
pened that  the  thrilling  warmth  of  his  lips  re- 
stored her  to  life.     Fakreddin,  beginning  also 


VATEEK.  91 

to  recover  from  the  look  of  the  Caliph,  with 
difficulty  tottered  to  a  seat,  and  after  warily 
casting  round  his  eye  to  see  if  this  dangerous 
prince  were  gone,  sent  for  Shaban  and  Sutle- 
meme,  and  said  to  them  apart : 

"  My  friends,  violent  evils  require  as  violent, 
remedies ;  the  Caliph  has  brought  desolation 
and  horror  into  my  family,  and  how  shall  we 
resist  his  power  ?     Another  of  his  looks  will 
send  me  to  my  grave.  Fetch  then  that  narcotic 
powder  which  the  Dervise  brought  me  from 
Aracan.     A  dose  of  it,  the  effect  of  which  will 
continue  three  days,  must  be  administered  to 
each  of  these  children.     The  Caliph  will  be- 
lieve them  to  be  dead,  for  they  will  have  all  the 
appearance  of  death.     We  shall  go  as  if  to  in- 
ter them  in  the  cave  of  Meimoune,  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  great  desert  of  sand,  and  near 
the  cabin  of  my  dwarfs.     When  all  the  spec- 
tators shall  be  withdrawn,  you,  Shaban,  and 
four  select  eunuchs  shall  convey  them  to  the 
lake,  where  provision  shall  be  ready  to  sup- 
port them  a  month;  for  one  day  allotted  to 
the  surprise  this  event  will  occasion,  five  to 
the  tears,   a  fortnight  to  reflection,  and  the 
rest   to    prepare    for   renewing   his    progress, 
will,  according  to  my  calculation,  fill  up  the 
whole  time  that  Vathekwill  tarry,  and  1  shall 
then  be  freed  from  his  intrusion." 

"  Your  plan,"  said  Sutlememe,  ''  is  a  good 
one,  if  it  can  but  be  effected.  I  have  remarked 
that  Nouronihar  is  well  able  to  support  the 
glances  of  the  Caliph,  and  that  he  is  far  from 
being  sparing  of  them  to  her;  be  assured 
therefore,  notwithstanding  her  fondness  for 
Gulchenrouz,  she  will  never  remain  quiet 
while  she  knows  him  to  be  here,  unless  we  can 
persuade  her  that  both  herself  and  Gulchen- 
rouz are  really  dead,  and  that  they  were  con- 
veyed to  those  rocks  for  a  limited  season  to 
gxpif^te  the  little  faults  of  which  their  love  was 


9^  VATHEK. 

the  cause.  We  will  add  that  we  killed  our- 
selves in  despair,  and  that  your  dwarfs,  whom 
they  never  yet  saw,  will  preach  to  them  delec- 
table sermons.  I  will  engage  that  everything 
shall  succeed  to  the  bent  of  your  wishes." 

"  Be  it  so,"  said  Fakreddin  ;  "  I  approve 
your  proposal ;  let  us  lose  not  a  moment  to 
give  it  effect." 

They  forthwith  hastened  to  seek  for  the  pow- 
der, which,  being  mixed  in  a  sherbet,  was  im- 
mediately drunk  by  Gulch enrouz  and  Nouroni- 
har.  Within  the  space  of  an  hour  both  were 
seized  with  violent  palpitations,  and  a  general 
numbness  gradually  ensued.  They  arose  from 
the  floor,  where  they  had  remained  ever  since 
the  Caliph's  departure,  and,  ascending  to  the 
sofa,  reclined  themselves  at  full  length  upon 
it,  clasped  in  each  other's  embraces. 

*'  Cherish  me,  my  dear  Nouronihar,"  said 
Gulchenrouz ;  "  put  thy  hand  upon  my  heart, 
for  it  feels  as  if  it  were  frozen.  Alas  !  thou  art 
as  cold  as  myself !  hath  the  Caliph  murdered 
us  both  with  his  terrible  look  ?  " 

"  I  am  dying,"  cried  she  in  a  faltering  voice  ; 
"press  me  closer,  I  am  ready  to  expire!  " 

"  Let  us  die  then  together,"  answered  the 
little  Gulchenrouz,  whilst  his  breast  labored 
with  a  convulsive  sigh ;  "  let  me  at  least 
breathe  forth  my  soul  on  thy  lips." 

They  spoke  no  more,  and  became  as  dead. 

Immediately  the  most  piercing  cries  were 
heard  through  the  harem,  whilst  Shaban  and 
Sutlememe  personated  with  great  adroitness 
the  parts  of  persons  in  despair.  The  emir, 
who  was  sufficiently  mortified  to  be  forced  into 
such  untoward  expedients,  and  had  now  for 
the  first  time  made  a  trial  of  his  powder,  was 
under  no  necessity  of  counterfeiting  grief.  The 
slaves,  who  had  flocked  together  from  all  quar- 
ters, stood  motionless  at  the  spectacle  before 
them.     All  lights  were  extinguished  save  two 


VATUEK:  93 

lamps,  which  shed  a  wan  glimmering  over  the 
faces  of  these  lovely  flowers,  that  seemed  to 
be  faded  in  the  spring-time  of  life.  Funeral 
vestments  were  prepared ;  their  bodies  were 
washed  with  rose-water  ;  their  beautiful  tresses 
were  braided  and  incensed ;  and  they  were 
wrapped  in  simars  whiter  than  alabaster.  At 
the  moment  that  their  attendants  were  placing 
two  wreaths  of  their  favorite  jasmines  on 
their  brows,  the  Caliph,  who  had  just  heard 
the  tragical  catastrophe,  arrived.  He  looked 
not  less  pale  and  haggard  than  the  ghouls  that 
Wander  at  night  among  graves. 

Forgetful  of  himself  and  every  one  else,  he 
broke  through  the  midst  of  the  slaves,  fell  pros- 
trate at  the  foot  of  the  sofa,  beat  his  bosom, 
called  himself  "  atrocious  murderer,"  and  in- 
voked upon  his  head  a  thousand  imprecations. 
With  a  trembling  hand  he  raised  the  veil  that 
covered  the  countenance  of  Nouronihar,  and 
uttering  a  loud  shriek  fell  lifeless  on  the  floor. 
The  chief  of  the  eunuchs  dragged  him  off  with 
horrible  grimaces,  and  repeated  as  he  went : 

''  Ay,  1  foresaw  she  would  play  you  some 
ungracious  turn." 

No  sooner  was  the  Caliph  gone  than  the 
emir  commanded  biers  to  be  brought,  and  for- 
bade that  any  one  should  enter  the  harem. 
Every  window  was  fastened  ;  all  instruments 
of  music  were  broken  ;  and  the  Imans  began 
to  recite  their  prayers.  Towards  the  close  of 
this  melancholy  day  Vathek  sobbed  in  silence, 
for  they  had  been  forced  to  compose  with  ano- 
dynes his  convulsions  of  rage  and  despera- 
tion. 

At  the  dawn  of  the  succeeding  morning 
the  wide  folding  doors  of  the  palace  were  set 
open,  and  the  funeral  procession  moved  for- 
ward for  the  mountain.  The  wailful  cries  of 
"  La  Ilah  ilia  Alia,"  reached  to  the  Calipli, 
who  was  eager  to  cicatrize  himself  and  attend 


^4  VATtiEK. 

the  ceremonial;  nor  could  he  have  been  dis- 
suaded, had  not  his  excessive  weakness  dis- 
abled him  from  walking.  At  the  first  few  steps 
he  fell  on  the  ground,  and  his  people  were 
obliged  to  lay  him  on  a  bed,  where  he  re- 
mained many  days  in  such  a  state  of  insen- 
sibility as  excited  compassion  in  the  emir 
himself. 

When  the  procession  was  arrived  at  the  grot 
of  Meimoune,  Shaban  and  Sutlememe  dis- 
missed the  whole  of  the  train  excepting  the 
four  confidential  eunuchs  who  were  appointed 
to  remain.  After  resting  some  moments  near 
the  biers  which  had  been  left  in  the  open  air, 
they  caused  them  to  be  carried  to  the  brink  of 
a  small  lake  whose  banks  were  overgrown  with 
a  hoary  moss.  This  was  the  great  resort  of 
herons  and  storks,  which  preyed  continually 
on  little  blue  fishes.  The  dwarfs,  instructed 
by  the  emir,  soon  repaired  thither,  and  with 
the  help  of  the  eunuchs  began  to  construct 
cabins  of  rushes  and  reeds,  a  work  in  which 
they  had  admirable  skill.  A  magazine  also 
was  contrived  for  provisions,  with  a  small 
oratory  for  themselves,  and  a  pyramid  of  wood 
neatly  piled,  to  furnish  the  necessary  fuel, 
for  the  air  was  bleak  in  the  hollows  of  the 
mountains. 

At  evening  two  fires  were  kindled  on  the 
brink  of  the  lake,  and  the  two  lovely  bodies 
taken  from  their  biers  were  carefully  deposited 
upon  a  bed  of  dried  leaves  within  the  same 
cabin.  The  dwarfs  began  to  recite  the  Koran 
with  their  clear  shrill  voices,  and  Shaban  and 
Sutlememe  stood  at  some  distance  anxiously 
waiting  the  effects  of  the  powder.  At  length 
Nouronihar  and  Gulchenrouz  faintly  stretched 
out  their  arms,  and  gradually  opening  their 
eyes,  began  to  survey  with  looks  of  increasing 
amazement  every  object  around  them.  They 
even  attempted  to    rise,    but    for    want    oi 


VAfttM.  05 

strength  fell  back  again.  Sutlememe  on  this 
administered  a  cordial  which  the  emir  had 
taken  care  to  provide. 

Gulchenrouz,  thoroughly  aroused,  sneezed 
out  aloud,  and,  raising  himself  with  an  effort 
that  expressed  his  surprise,  left  the  cabin,  and 
inhaled  the  fresh  air  with  the  greatest  avidity. 

"  Yes,"  said  he,  "  I  breathe  again  !  again  do 
I  exist !  I  hear  sounds  !  I  behold  a  firmament 
spangled  over  with  stars  !  " 

Nouronihar,  catching  these  beloved^iccents, 
extricated  herself  from  the  leaves,  and  ran  to 
clasp  Gulchenrouz  to  her  bosom.  The  first 
objects  she  remarked  were  their  long  simars, 
their  garlands  of  flowers,  and  their  naked  feet  ; 
she  hid  her  face  in  her  hands  to  reflect.  The 
vision  of  the  enchanted  bath,  the  despair  of  her 
father,  and,  more  vividly  than  both,  the  majes- 
tic figure  of  Vathek,  recurred  to  her  memory. 
She  recollected  also,  that  herself  and  Gulchen- 
rouz had  been  sick  and  dying ;  bnt  all  these 
images  bewildered  her  mhid.  Not  knowing 
where  she  was,  she  turned  her  eyes  on  all 
sides,  as  if  to  recognize  the  surrounding  scene. 
This  singular  lake,  those  flames  reflected  from 
its  glassy  surface,  the  pale  hues  of  its  banks, 
the  romantic  cabins,  the  bulrushes  that  sadly 
waved  their  drooping  heads,  the  storks  whose 
melancholy  cries  blended  with  the  shrill  voices 
of  the  dwarfs,  everything  conspired  to  per- 
suade them  that  the  angel  of  death  had  opened 
the  portal  of  some  other  world. 

Gulchenrouz  on  his  part,  lost  in  wonder, 
clung  to  the  neck  of  his  cousin.  He  believed 
himself  in  the  region  of  phantoms,  and  was 
terrified  at  the  silence  she  preserved.  At  length 
addressing  her : 

"  Speak,*'  said  he,  "  where  are  we  ?  do  you 
not  see  those  spectres  that  are  stirring  the 
burning  coals?  Are  they  the  Monker  and 
Nakir,  come  to  throw  us  into  them  ?     Does 


96  VATIIEK. 

the  fatal  bridge  cross  the  hike,  whose  soleniii 
stilhiess  perhaps  conceals  from  us  an  abyss,  in 
which  for  whole  ages  we  shall  be  doomed  in- 
cessantly to  sink  ?  " 

*'  No,  my  children,"  said  Sutlememe,  going 
towards  them  ;  *'take  comfort:  the  exterminat- 
ing angel  who  conducted  our  souls  hither  after 
yours,  hath  assured  us  that  the  chastisement 
of  your  indolent  and  voluptuous  life  shall  be 
restricted  to  a  certain  series  of  years,  which 
yoti  must  pass  in  this  dreary  abode,  where  the 
Buu  is  scarcely  visible,  and  where  the  soil 
yields  neither  fruit  nor  flowers.  These,"  con- 
tinued she,  pointing  to  the  dwarfs,  *'  will  pro- 
vide for  our  wants;  for  souls  so  mundane  as 
ours  retain  too  strong  a  tincture  of  their  earth- 
ly extraction.  Instead  of  meats,  your  food  will 
be  nothing  but  rice,  and  your  bread  shall  be 
moistened  in  the  fogs  that  brood  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  lake." 

At  this  desolating  prospect  the  poor  children 
burst  into  tears,  and  prostrated  themselves  be- 
fore the  dwarfs,  who  perfectly  supported  their 
characters,  and  delivered  an  excellent  dis- 
course of  a  customary  length  upon  the  sacred 
camel,  which  after  a  thousand  years  was  to 
convey  them  to  the  paradise  of  the  faithful. 

The  sermon  being  ended  and  ablutions  per- 
formed, they  praised  Allah  and  the  prophet, 
supped  very  indifferently,  and  retired  to  their 
withered  leaves.  Nouronihar  and  her  little 
cousin  consoled  themselves  on  finding  that, 
though  dead,  they  yet  lay  in  one  cabin.  Hav- 
ing slept  well  before,  the  remainder  of  the 
night  was  spent  in  conversation  on  what  had 
befallen  them ;  and  both,  from  a  dread  of 
apparitions,  betook  themselves  for  protection 
to  one  another's  arms. 

In  the  morning,  which  was  lowering  and 
rainy,  the  dwarfs  mounted  high  poles  like 
minarets,   and  called  them  to  prayers.     The 


VATBF.K.  97 

whole  congregation,  which  consisted  of  Sut- 
lememe,  Shaban,  the  four  eunuchs,  and  some 
storks,  were  already  assembled.  The  two 
children  came  forth  from  their  cabin  with  a 
slow  and  dejected  pace.  As  tlieir  minds  were 
in  a  tender  and  melancholy  mood,  their  devo- 
tions were  performed  with  fervor.  No  sooner 
were  they  finished  than  Gulchenrouz  demanded 
of  Sutlememe  and  tlie  rest,  "  how  they  hap- 
pened to  die  so  opportunely  for  his  cousin  and 
himself." 

"  We  killed  ourselves,'*  returned  Sutlememe, 
"  in  despair  at  your  death." 

On  this  said  Nouronihar,  who,  notwithstand- 
ing what  was  past,  had  not  yet  forgotten  her 
vision : 

"  And  the  Caliph,  is  he  also  dead  of  his 
grief  ?  and  will  he  likewise  come  hither  ?  " 

The  dwarfs,  who  were  prepared  for  an  an- 
swer, most  demurely  replied : 

"  Vathek  is  damned  beyond  all  redemp- 
tion.'* 

"  I  readily  believe  so,"  said  Gulchenrouz ; 
"  and  am  glad  from  my  heart  to  hear  it,  for  I 
am  convinced  it  was  his  horrible  look  that  sent 
us  hither,  to  listen  to  sermons  and  mess  upon 
rice." 

One  week  passed  away  on  the  side  of  the 
lake  unmarked  by  any  variety;  Nouronihar 
ruminating  on  tlie  grandeur  of  which  death 
had  deprived  her,  and  Gulchenrouz  applying  to 
prayers  and  to  panniers  along  with  the  dwarfs, 
who  infinitely  pleased  him. 

Whilst  this  scene  of  innocence  was  exhibit- 
ing in  the  mountains,  the  Caliph  presented 
himself  to  the  emir  in  a  new  light.  The  in- 
stant he  recovered  the  use  of  his  senses,  with 
a  voice  that  made  Bababalouk  quake,  he  thun- 
dered out : 

"  Perfidious  Giaour  !  I  renounce  thee  for- 
ever !  it  is   thou  who  hast  slain   my  beloved 


98  VATIIEK. 

Nouronihar!  and  I  supplicate  the  pardon  of 
Mahomet,  who  would  have  preserved  her  to 
me  had  I  been  more  wise.  Let  water  be 
bronglit  to  perform  my  ablutions,  and  let  the 
pious  Fakreddin  be  called  to  offer  up  his  prayers 
with  mine,  and  reconcile  me  to  him.  After- 
wards we  will  go  togetlier  and  visit  the  sepul- 
chre of  the  unfortunate  Nouronihar.  I  am 
resolved  to  become  a  hermit,  and  consume  the 
residue  of  my  days  on  this  mountain,  in  hope 
of  expiating  my  crimes." 

Nouronihar  was  not  altogether  so  content, 
for  though  she  felt  a  fondness  for  Gulchenrouz, 
who,  to  augment  the  attachment,  had  been 
left  at  full  liberty  with  her,  yet  she  still  re- 
garded him  as  but  a  bauble  that  bore  no  com- 
petition with  the  carbuncle  of  Giamschid.  At 
times  she  indulged  doubts  on  the  mode  of  her 
being,  and  scarcely  could  believe  that  the  dead 
had  all  the  wants  and  the  whims  of  the  living. 
To  gain  satisfaction,  however,  on  so  perplexing 
a  topic,  she  arose  one  morning  whilst  all  were 
asleep,  with  a  breathless  caution  from  the  side 
of  Gulchenrouz,  and,  after  having  given  him 
a  soft  kiss,  began  to  follow  the  windings  of 
the  lake  till  it  terminated  with  a  rock  whose 
top  was  accessible  though  lofty.  This  she 
clambered  up  with  considerable  toil,  and,  hav- 
ing reached  the  summit,  set  forward  in  a  run 
like  a  doe  that  unwittingly  follows  her  hunter. 
Though  she  skipped  along  with  the  alertness 
of  an  antelope,  yet  at  intervals  she  was  forced 
to  desist,  and  rest  beneath  the  tamarisks  to  re- 
cover her  breath.  Whilst  she,  thus  reclined, 
was  occupied  with  her  little  reflections  on  the 
apprehension  that  she  had  some  knowledge  of 
the  place,  Vathek,  who  finding  himself  that 
morning  but  ill  at  ease,  had  gone  forth  before 
the  dawn,  presented  himself  on  a  sudden  to 
her  view.  Motionless  with  surprise,  he  durst 
not   approach  the    figure  before  him,    which 


VATIIEK.  99 

lay  sKronkled  up  in  a  simar  extended  on  the 
ground,  trembling  and  pale,  but  yet  lovely  to 
behold.  At  length  Nouronihar,  with  a  mixt- 
ure of  pleasure  and  affliction,  raising  her  fine 
e3'es  to  him,  said, 

"  My  lord,  are  you  come  hither  to  eat  rice 
and  hear  sermons  with  me  ?  " 

''  Beloved  phantom!  "  cried  Vathek,  "dost 
thou  speak?  hast  thou  the  same  graceful  form? 
the  same  radiant  features  ?  art  thou  palpable 
likewise  ?  "  and,  eagerly  embracing  her,  he 
added,  "  Here  are  limbs  and  a  bosom  animated 
with  a  gentle  warmth !  what  can  such  a 
prodigy  mean  ?  " 

Nouronihar  with  diffidence  answered  : 

"  You  know,  my  lord,  that  I  died  on  the 
night  yon  honored  me  with  your  visit  ;  my 
cousin  maintains  it  was  from  one  of  your 
glances,  but  I  cannot  believe  him,  for  to  me 
they  seem  not  so  dreadful.  Gulchenrouz  died 
with  me,  and  we  were  both  brought  into  a 
region  of  desolation,  where  we  are  fed  with  a 
wretched  diet.  If  you  be  dead  also,  and  are 
come  hither  to  join  us,  I  pity  your  lot,  for  you 
will  be  stunned  with  the  clang  of  the  dwarfs 
and  the  storks.  Besides,  it  is  mortifying  in 
the  extreme  that  you  as  well  as  myself  should 
have  lost  the  treasures  of  the  subterranean 
palace." 

At  the  mention  of  the  subterranean  palace, 
the  Caliph  suspended  his  caresses,  which  in- 
deed had  proceeded  pretty  far,  to  seek  from 
Nouronihar  an  explanation  of  her  meaning. 
She  then  recapitulated  her  vision — what  im- 
mediately followed — and  the  history  of  her  pre- 
tended death  ,  adding  also  a  description  of  the 
palace  of  expiation  from  whence  she  had  fled ; 
and  all  in  a  manner  that  would  have  extorted 
his  laughter,  had  not  the  thoughts  of  Vathek 
been  too  deeply  engaged.  No  sooner,  however, 
had  she  ended,  than  he  again  clasped  her  to  his 
bosom,  and  said : 


100  VAfllSK. 

"  Light  of  my  eyes  !  the  mystery  is  un- 
ravelled ;  we  both  are  alive  !  Your  father  is 
a  cheat,  who  for  the  sake  of  dividing  hath 
deluded  us  both  ;  and  the  Giaour,  whose  de- 
sign, as  far  as  I  can  discover,  is  that  we  shall  pro- 
ceed together,  seems  scarce  a  whit  better.  It 
shall  be  some  time  at  least  before  he  find  us 
in  liis  palace  of  fire.  Your  lovely  little  person 
in  my  estimation  is  far  more  precious  than  all 
the  treasures  of  the  pre-Adamite  sultans,  and  I 
wish  to  possess  it  at  pleasure,  and  in  open  day 
for  many  a  noon,  before  I  go  to  burrow  under 
ground  like  a  mole. 

"  Forget  this  little  trifler  Gulchenrouz, 
and"— 

"  Ah,  my  lord,"  interposed  Nouronihar, 
"  let  me  entreat  that  you  do  him  no  evil." 

"  No,  no,"  replied  Vathek,  "  I  have  already 
forbid  you  forbear  to  alarm  yourself  for  him. 
He  has  been  brought  up  too  much  on  milk  and 
sugar  to  stimulate  my  jealousy.  We  will  leave 
him  with  the  dwarfs,  who,  by  the  bye,  are  my 
old  acquaintances  ;  their  company  will  suit 
him  far  better  than  yours.  As  to  other  mat- 
ters, I  will  return  no  more  to  your  father's.  I 
want  not  to  have  my  ears  dinned  by  him  and 
his  dotards  with  the  violation  of  the  rights  of 
hospitality ;  as  if  it  were  less  an  honor  for  you 
to  espouse  the  sovereign  of  the  world,  than  a 
girl  dressed  up  like  a  boy." 

Nouronihar  could  find  nothing  to  oppose  in 
a  discourse  so  eloquent.  She  only  wished  the 
amorous  monarch  had  discovered  more  ardor 
for  the  carbuncle  of  Giamschid  ;  but  flattered 
herself  it  would  gradually  increase,  and  there- 
fore yielded  to  his  will  with  the  most  bewitch- 
ing submission. 

When  the  Caliph  judged  it  proper  he  called 
for  Bababalouk,  who  was  asleep  in  the  cave 
of  iVIeimoune,  and  dreaming  that  the  phantom 
of  Nouronihar,  having  mounted  him  once  more 


VATHEK.  101 

on  her  swing,  had  just  given  him  such  a  jerk 
that  he  one  moment  soared  above  the  mount- 
ains, and  the  next  sunk  into  the  abyss.  Start- 
ing from  his  sleep  at  the  voice  of  his  master, 
he  ran  gasping  for  breath,  and  had  nearly  fall- 
en backward  at  the  sight,  as  he  believed,  of 
the  spectre,  by  whom  he  had  so  lately  been 
liaunted  in  his  dream. 

"  Ah,  my  lord,"  cried  he,  recoiling  ten  steps, 
and  covering  his  e3^es  with  both  hands,  "  do 
you  then  perform  the  office  of  a  Ghoul?  'Tis 
true  you  have  dug  up  the  dead,  yet  hope  not 
to  make  her  your  prey  ;  for  after  all  she  hath 
caused  me  to  suffer,  she  is  even  wicked  enough 
to  prey  upon  you." 

"  Cease  thy  folly,"  said  Vathek,  "  and  thou 
shalt  soon  be  convinced  that  it  is  Nouronihar 
herself,  alive  and  well,  whom  I  clasp  to  my 
breast.  Go  only,  and  pitch  my  tents  in  the 
neighboring  valley.  There  will  I  fix  my  abode 
with  this  beautiful  tulip,  whose  colors  I  soon 
shall  restore.  There  exert  thy  best  endeavors 
to  procure  whatever  can  augment  tlie  enjoy- 
ments of  life,  till  I  shall  disclose  to  thee  more 
of  my  will." 

The  news  of  so  unlucky  an  event  soon 
reached  the  ears  of  the  emir,  who  abandoned 
himself  to  grief  and  despair,  and  began,  as  did 
all  his  old  graybeards,  to  begrime  his  visage 
with  ashes.  A  total  supineness  ensued ;  trav- 
elers were  no  longer  entertained,  no  more 
plasters  were  spread,  and,  instead  of  the  charita- 
ble activity  that  had  distinguished  this  asylum, 
the  whole  of  its  inhabitants  exhibited  only 
faces  of  a  half  cubit  long,  and  uttered  groans 
tliat  accorded  with  tlieir  forlorn  situation. 

Though  Fakreddin  bewailed  his  daughter 
as  lost  to  him  forever,  yet  Gulchenrouz  was 
not  forgotten.  He  despatched  immediate  in- 
struction to  Sutlememe,  Slia])an,  and  the  dwarfs 
enjoining  them  not  to  undeceive  the  child  in 


102  VATHEK, 

respect  to  his  state,  but  under  some  pretense 
to  convey  him  far  from  the  lofty  rock  at  the 
extremity  of  the  hike,  to  a  place  which  he 
should  appoint,  as  safer  from  danger ;  for  he 
suspected  that  Vathek  intended  him  evil. 

Gulchenrouz  in  the  meanwhile  was  filled 
with  amazement  at  not  finding  his  cousin  :  nor 
were  the  dwarfs  at  all  less  surprised  ;  but  Sut- 
lememe,  who  had  more  penetration,  imme- 
diately guessed  what  had  happened.  Gul- 
chenrouz was  amused  with  the  delusive  hope 
of  once  more  embracing  Nouronihar  in  the 
interior  recesses  of  the  mountains,  where  the 
ground,  strewed  over  with  orange  blossoms  and 
jasmines,  offered  beds  much  more  inviting  than 
the  withered  leaves  in  their  cabin,  wliere  they 
might  accompany  with  their  voices  tlie  sounds 
of  their  lutes,  and  chase  butterflies  in  concert. 
Sutlememe  was  far  gone  in  this  sort  of  descrip- 
tion when  one  of  the  four  eunuchs  beckoned 
her  aside  to  apprise  her  of  the  arrival  of  a  mes- 
senger from  their  fraternity,  who  had  explain- 
ed the  secret  of  the  flight  of  Nouronihar,  and 
brought  the  commands  of  the  emir.  A  coun- 
cil with  Shaban  and  the  dwarfs  was  immedi- 
ately held.  Their  baggage  being  stowed  in 
consequence  of  it,  they  embarked  in  a  shallop 
and  quietly  sailed  with  the  little  one,  who 
acquiesced  in  all  their  proposals.  Their  voy- 
age proceeded  in  the  same  manner,  till  they 
came  to  the  place  where  the  lake  sinks  beneath 
the  hollow  of  the  rock ;  but  as  soon  as  the 
bark  had  entered  it,  and  Gulchenrouz  found 
himself  surrounded  with  darkness,  he  was 
seized  with  a  dreadful  consternation,  and  in- 
cessantly uttered  the  most  piercing  outcries  ; 
forhenowAvas  persuaded  he  should  actually 
be  damned  for  having  taken  too  many  little 
freedoms  in  his  lifetime  with  his  cousin. 

But  let  us  return  to  the  Caliph,  and  her 
who  ruled  over  his  heart.      Bababalouk  had 


VATHEK,  103 

pitched  the  tents,  and  closed  up  the  extremi- 
ties of  the  valley  with  magnificent  screens  of 
India  cloth,  which  were  guarded  by  Ethiopian 
slaves  with  their  drawn  sabres.  To  preserve 
the  verdure  of  this  beautiful  inclosure  in  its 
natural  freshness,  the  white  eunuchs  went  con- 
tinually round  it  with  their  red  water  vessels. 
The  waving  of  fans  was  heard  near  the  impe- 
rial pavilion,  where,  by  the  voluptuous  light 
that  glowed  through  the  muslins,  the  Caliph 
enjoyed  at  full  view  all  the  attractions  of 
Noui'onihar.  Inebriated  with  delight,  he  was 
all  ear  to  her  charming  voice,  which  accompa- 
nied the  lute  ;  while  she  was  not  less  capti- 
vated with  his  descriptions  of  Samarah  and 
the  tower  full  of  wonders,  but  especially  with 
his  relation  of  the  adventure  of  the  hall,  and 
the  chasm  of  the  Giaour  with  its  ebony  portal. 

In  this  manner  they  conversed  fcr  a  day  and 
a  night  ;  they  bathed  together  in  a  basin  of 
black  marble,  which  admirably  relieved  the 
fairness  of  Nouronihar.  Bababalouk,  whose 
good  graces  this  beauty  had  regained,  spared  no 
attention  that  their  repasts  might  be  served  up 
with  the  minutest  exactness :  some  exquisite 
rarity  Avas  ever  placed  before  them  ;  and  he 
sent  even  to  Schiraz  for  that  fragrant  and  de- 
licious wine  which  had  been  hoarded  up  in 
bottles  prior  to  the  birth  of  Mahomet.  He  had 
excavated  little  ovens  in  the  rock  to  bake  the 
nice  manchets  which  were  prepared  by  the 
hands  of  Nouronihar,  from  whence  they  had 
derived  a  flavor  so  grateful  to  Yathek,  that  he 
regarded  the  ragouts  of  his  other  wives  as  en- 
tirely mawkish  ;  whilst  they  would  have  died 
at  the  emir's  of  chagrin  at  finding  themselves 
so  neglected,  if  Fakreddin,  notwithstanding 
his  resentment,  had  not  taken  pity  upon  them. 

The  sultana  Dilara,  who  till  then  had  been 
the  favorite,  took  this  dereliction  of  the  Caliph 
to  heart  with  a  vehemence  natural  to  her  char- 


104  VATIIEK. 

acter  :  for  during  her  continuance  in  favor  she 
had  imbibed  from  Vathek  many  of  his  extrav- 
agant fancies,  and  was  fired  with  impatience 
to  behold  the  superb  tombs  of  Istakhar,  and  the 
paLice  of  forty  columns  ;  besides,  having  been 
brouglit  up  amongst  the  magi,  she  had  fondly 
cherished  the  idea  of  the  Caliph's  devoting 
liimself  to  the  worship  of  fire  :  thus  his  volupt- 
uous and  desultory  life  with  her  rival  was  to 
her  a  double  source  of  affliction.  The  tran- 
sient piety  of  Vathek  had  occasioned  her  some 
serious  alarms,  but  the  present  was  an  evil  of 
far  greater  magnitude.  She  resolved  there- 
fore without  hesitation  to  write  to  Carathis, 
and  ac([uaiiit  her  that  all  things  went  ill  ;  that 
they  had  eaten,  slept,  and  revelled  at  an  old 
emir's,  whose  sancity  was  very  formidable, 
and  that,  after  all  the  prospect  of  possessing 
the  treasures  of  the  pre-Adamitc  sultans  was 
no  less  remote  than  before.  This  letter  was 
intrusted  to  the  care  of  two  woodmen  who 
were  at  work  on  one  of  the  great  forests  of  tlie 
mountains,  and  being  acquainted  with  the 
shortest  cuts,  arrived  in  ten  days  at  Samarah. 
The  princess  Carathis  was  engaged  at  chess 
with  Morakanabad,  when  the  arrival  of  these 
wood-fellers  was  announced.  She,  after  some 
weeks  of  Vathek's  absence,  had  forsaken  the 
upper  regions  of  her  tower,  because  everything 
appeared  in  confusion  among  the  stars,  whom 
she  consulted  relative  to  the  fate  of  her  son. 
In  vain  did  she  renew  her  fumigations,  and 
extend  herself  on  the  roof  to  obtain  mystic 
visions :  nothing  more  could  she  see  in  her 
dreams  than  pieces  of  brocade,  nosegays  of 
flowers,  and  other  unmeaning  gewgaws.  These 
disappointments  had  thrown  her  into  a  state  of 
dejection  which  no  drug  in  her  power  was  suffi- 
cient to  remove.  Her  only  resource  was  in 
Morakanabad,  who  was  a  good  man,  and  en- 
dowed with  a  decent  share  of  confidence,  yet 


VATHEK.  105 

whilst  in  her  company  he  never  thought  him- 
self on  roses. 

No  person  knew  aught  of  Vathek,  and  a 
thousand  ridiculous  stories  were  propagated  at 
his  expense.  The  eagerness  of  Carathis  may- 
be easily  guessed  at  receiving  the  letter,  as 
well  as  her  rage  at  reading  the  dissolute  con- 
duct of  her  son. 

"  Is  it  so  ?  "  said  she  ;  "  either  I  will  perish, 
or  Vathek  shall  enter  the  palace  of  fire.  Let 
me  expire  in  the  flames,  provided  he  may  reign 
on  the  throne  of  Soliman !  " 

Having  said  this,  and  whirled  herself  round 
in  a  magical  manner,  which  struck  Morakana- 
bad  with  such  terror  as  caused  him  to  recoil, 
she  ordered  her  great  camel  Alboufaki  to  be 
brought,  and  the  hideous  Nerkes  with  the  un- 
relenting Cafour  to  attend. 

"  I  require  no  other  retinue,"  said  she  to 
Morakanabad  :  "  I  am  going  on  affairs  of  em- 
ergency :  a  truce  therefore  to  parade !  Take 
you  care  of  the  people,  fleece  them  well  in  my 
absence,  for  we  shall  expend  large  sums,  and 
one  knows  not  what  may  betide." 

The  night  was  uncommonly  dark,  and  a  pes- 
tilential blast  ravaged  the  plain  of  Catoul  that 
would  have  deterred  any  other  traveler,  how- 
ever urgent  the  call  ;  but  Carathis  enjoyed 
most  wliatever  filled  others  with  dread.  Nerkes 
concurred  in  opinion  with  her,  and  Cafour  had 
a  particular  predilection  for  a  pestilence.  In 
the  morning  this  accomplished  caravan,  with 
the  wood-fellers  who  directed  their  route, 
halted  on  the  edge  of  an  extensive  marsh,  from 
whence  so  noxious  a  vapor  arose  as  would 
have  destroyed  any  animal  but  Alboufaki,  who 
naturally  inhaled  these  malignant  fogs.  The 
peasants  entreated  their  convoy  not  to  sleep  in 
this  place. 

"  To  sleep,"  cried  Carathis,  "  what  an  ex- 
cellent thought !  I  never  sleep  but  for  visions ; 


106  VATHEK. 

and  as  to  my  attendants,  their  occupations  are 
too  many  to  close  the  only  eye  they  each  have." 

The  poor  peasants,  who  were  not  over-pleased 
with  their  party  remained  open-mouthed  with 
surprise. 

Carathis  alighted  as  well  as  her  negresses, 
and,  severally  stripping  off  their  outer  gar- 
ments, they  all  ran  in  their  drawers  to  cull 
from  those  spots  where  the  sun  shone  fiercest, 
the  venomous  plants  that  grew  on  the  marsh. 
This  provision  was  made  for  the  family  of  the 
emir,  and  whoever  might  retard  the  expedition 
to  Istakhar.  The  woodmen  were  overcome 
with  fear  when  they  beheld  these  three  horri- 
ble phantoms  run,  and,  not  much  relishing  the 
company  of  Alboufaki,  stood  aghast  at  the 
command  of  Carathis  to  set  forward,  notwith- 
standing it  was  noon,  and  the  heat  fierce 
enough  to  calcine  even  rocks.  In  spite,  how- 
ever, of  every  remonstrance,  they  were  forced 
implicitly  to  submit. 

Alboufaki,  who  delighted  in  solitude,  con- 
stantly snorted  whenever  he  perceived  himself 
near  a  habitation,  and  Carathis,  who  was  apt 
to  spoil  him  with  indulgence,  as  constantly 
turned  him  aside  ;  so  that  the  peasants  were 
precluded  from  procuring  subsistence  ;  for  the 
milch  goats  and  ewes  Avhich  Providence  had 
sent  towards  the  district  they  traversed,  to  re- 
fresh travelers  with  their  milk,  all  fled  at  the 
sight  of  the  hideous  animal  and  his  strange 
riders.  As  to  Carathis,  she  needed  no  com- 
mon aliment ;  for  her  invention  had  previously 
furnished  her  with  an  opiate  to  stay  her  stom- 
ach, some  of  which  she  imparted  to  her  mutes. 

At  the  fall  of  night  Alboufaki,  making  a 
sudden  stop,  stamped  with  his  foot,  which  to 
Carathis,  who  understood  his  paces,  was  a  cer- 
tain indication  that  she  was  near  tlie  confines 
of  some  cemetery.  The  moon  shed  a  bright 
light  on  the  spot,  which  served  to  discover  a 


VATHEK.  107 

long  wall  with  a  large  door  in  it  standing  ajar, 
and  so  high  that  Alboufaki  might  easily  enter. 
The  miserable  guides,  who  perceived  their  end 
approaching,  humbly  implored  Carathis,  as  she 
had  now  so  good  an  opportunity,  to  inter  them, 
and  immediately  gave  up  the  ghost.  Nerkes 
and  Cafour,  whose  wit  was  of  a  style  peculiar 
to  themselves,  were  by  no  means  parsimonious 
of  it  on  the  folly  of  these  poor  people,  nor 
could  anything  have  been  found  more  suited 
to  their  taste  than  the  site  of  the  burying 
ground,  and  the  sepulchres  which  its  precincts 
contained.  There  were  at  least  two  thousand 
of  them  on  the  declivity  of  a  hill;  some  in 
the  form  of  pyramids,  others  like  columns,  and 
in  short  the  variety  of  their  shapes  was  end- 
less. Carathis  was  too  much  immersed  in  her 
sublime  contemplations  to  stop  at  the  view, 
charming  as  it  appeared  in  her  eyes.  Ponder- 
ing the  advantages  that  might  accrue  from  her 
present  situation,  she  could  not  forbear  to  ex- 
claim : 

"  So  beautiful  a  cemetery  must  be  haunted 
by  Ghouls,  and  they  want  not  for  intelligence ! 
having  heedlessly  suffered  my  guides  to  expire, 
I  will  apply  for  directions  to  them,  and,  as  an 
inducement,  will  invite  them  to  regale  on  these 
fresh  corpses." 

After  this  short  soliloquy,  she  beckoned  to 
Nerkes  and  Cafour  and  made  signs  with  her 
fingers,  as  much  as  to  say : 

"  Go,  knock  against  the  sides  of  the  tombs, 
and  strike  up  your  delightful  warblings,  that 
are  so  like  to  those  of  the  guests  whose  com- 
pany I  wish  to  obtain." 

The  negresses,  full  of  joy  at  the  behests  of 
their  mistress,  and  promising  tiiemselves  much 
pleasure  from  the  society  of  the  Ghouls,  went 
with  an  air  of  conquest,  and  began  their  knock- 
ings  at  the  tombs.  As  their  strokes  were  re- 
peated, a  hollow  noise  was  heard  in  tlie  earth, 


108  VATUEK. 

the  surface  hove  up  into  heaps,  and  the  Ghouls 
on  all  sides  protruded  their  noses  to  inhale  the 
effluvia  which  the  carcasses  of  the  woodmen 
began  to  emit. 

They  assembled  before  a  sarcophagus  of 
white  marble,  where  Carathis  was  seated  be- 
tween the  bodies  of  her  miserable  guides.  The 
princess  received  her  visitants  with  distin- 
guished politeness,  and,  when  supper  was  ended, 
proceeded  with  them  to  business.  Having 
soon  learnt  from  them  everything  she  wished 
to  discover,  it  was  her  intention  to  set  forward 
forthwith  on  her  journey,  but  her  negresses,  who 
were  forming  tender  connections  with  the 
Ghouls,  importuned  her  with  all  their  fingers 
to  wait,  at  least  till  the  dawn.  Carathis,  how- 
ever, being  chastity  in  the  abstract,  and  an  im- 
placable enemy  to  love  and  repose,  at  once  re- 
jected their  prayer,  mounted  Alboufaki,  and 
commanded  them  to  take  their  seats  in  a  mo- 
ment. Four  days  and  four  nights  she  con- 
tinued her  route,  without  turning  to  the  right 
hand  or  left ;  on  the  fifth  she  traversed  the 
mountains  and  half-burnt  forest,  and  arrived 
on  the  sixth  before  the  beautiful  screens  which 
concealed  from  all  eyes  the  voluptuous  wander- 
ings of  her  son. 

It  was  daybreak,  and  the  guards  were  snor- 
ing on  their  posts  in  careless  security,  when 
the  rough  trot  of  Alboufaki  awoke  them  in 
consternation.  Imagining  that  a  group  of 
spectres  ascended  from  the  abyss  was  ap- 
proaching, they  all  without  ceremony  took  to 
their  heels.  Vathek  was  at  that  instant  with 
Nouronihar  in  the  bath,  hearing  tales  and 
laughing  at  Bababalouk,  who  related  them ; 
but  no  sooner  did  the  outcry  of  his  guards 
reach  him,  than  he  flounced  from  the  water 
like  a  carp,  and  as  soon  threw  himself  back  at 
the  sight  of  Carathis,  wlio,  advancing  with  her 
negresses  upon  Alboufaki,  broke  through  the 


VATBiEK.  169 

muslin  awnings  and  veils  of  the  pavilion.  At 
this  sudden  apparition,  Nouronihar  (for  slie 
was  not  at  all  times  free  from  remorse)  fan- 
cied that  the  moment  of  celestial  vengeance 
was  come,  and  clung  about  the  Caliph  in  am- 
orous despondence. 

Carathis,  still  seated  on  her  camel,  foamed 
with  indignation  at  the  spectacle  which  ob- 
truded itself  on  her  chaste  view.  She  thun- 
dered forth  without  check  or  mercy : 

"  Thou  double-headed  and  four-legged  mon- 
ster !  what  means  all  this  winding  and  writh- 
ing ?  art  thou  not  ashamed  to  be  seen  grasping 
this  limber  sapling,  in  preference  to  the  sceptre 
of  the  pre-Adamite  sultans?  Is  it  then  for  this 
paltry  doxy  that  thou  hast  violated  the  condi- 
tions in  the  parchment  of  our  Giaour  ?  Is  it 
on  her  thou  hast  lavished  thy  precious  mo- 
ments ?  Is  this  the  fruit  of  the  knowledge  I 
have  taught  thee  ?  Is  this  the  end  of  thy  jour- 
ney? Tear  thyself  from  the  arms  of  this 
little  simpleton ;  drown  her  in  the  water  be- 
fore me,  and  instantly  follow  my  guidance." 

In  the  first  ebullition  of  his  fury,  Vatliek 
resolved  to  make  a  skeleton  of  Alboufaki,  and 
to  stuff  the  skins  of  Carathis  and  her  blacks ; 
but  the  ideas  of  the  Giaour,  the  palace  of 
Istakhar,  the  sabres,  and  the  talismans,  flashing 
before  his  imagination  with  the  simultaneous- 
ness  of  lightning,  he  became  more  moderate, 
and  said  to  his  mother  in  a  civil  but  decisive 
tone  : 

"  Dread  lady,  you  shall  be  obeyed  ;  but  I 
will  not  drown  Nouronihar  ;  she  is  sweeter  to 
me  than  a  Myrabolan  comfit,  and  is  enam- 
oured of  carbuncles,  especially  that  of  Giam- 
schid,  which  hath  also  been  promised  to  be 
conferred  upon  her ;  she  therefore  shall  go 
along  with  us,  for  I  intend  to  repose  with  her 
beneath  the  canopies  of  Soliman ;  I  can  sleep 
no  more  without  her." 


no  Vateek, 

"  Be  it  so,"  replied  Carathis  alighting,  and 
at  the  same  time  committing  Alboufaki  to  the 
charge  of  her  women. 

Nouronihar,  who  had  not  yet  quitted  her 
hold,  began  to  take  courage,  and  said  with  an 
accent  of  fondness  to  the  Caliph  ; 

''  Dear  sovereign  of  my  soul !  I  will  follow 
thee,  if  it  be  thy  will,  beyond  the  Kaf,  in  the 
land  of  the  Afrits.  I  will  not  hesitate  to  climb 
for  thee  the  nest  of  the  Simurgh,  who,  this 
lady  excepted,  is  the  most  awful  of  created  ex- 
istences." 

"  We  have  here,  then,"  subjoined  Carathis, 
"  a  girl  both  of  courage  and  science." 

Nouronihar  had  certainly  both  ;  but,  not- 
withstanding all  her  firmness,  she  could  not 
help  casting  back  a  look  of  regret  upon  the 
graces  of  her  little  Gulchenrouz,  and  the  days 
of  tenderness  she  had  participated  with  him. 
She  even  dropped  a  few  tears,  which  Carathis 
observed,  and  inadvertently  breathed  out  with 
a  sigh : 

*'  Alas  !  my  gentle  cousin,  what  will  become 
of  him  ?  " 

Vathek  at  this  apostrophe  knitted  up  his 
brows,  and  Carathis  inquired  what  it  could 
mean. 

"  She  is  preposterously  sighing  after  a  strip- 
ling with  languishing  eyes  and  soft  hair  who 
loves  her,"  said  the  Caliph. 

''  Where  is  he  ?  "  asked  Carathis.  "  I  must 
be  acquainted  with  this  pretty  child ;  for,' 
added  she,  lowering  her  voice,  "  I  design  be 
fore  I  depart  to  regain  the  favor  of  the  Giaour. 
There  is  nothing  so  delicious  in  his  estimation 
as  the  heart  of  a  delicate  boy,  palpitating  with 
the  first  tumults  of  love." 

Vathek  as  he  came  from  the  bath  commanded 
Bababalouk  to  collect  the  women  and  other 
movables  of  his  harem,  embody  his  troops, 
and  hold   himself   in   readiness   to   march   in 


Vathek.  Ill 

three  days ;  whilst  Carathis  retired  alone  to 
a  tent,  where  the  Giaour  solaced  her  with  en- 
couraging visions  ;  but  at  length  waking,  she 
found  at  her  feet  Nerkes  and  Cafour,  who  in- 
formed her  by  their  signs,  that,  having  led 
Alboiifaki  to  the  borders  of  a  lake,  to  browse 
on  some  moss  that  looked  tolerably  venomous, 
they  had  discovered  certain  blue  fishes  of  the 
same  kind  with  those  in  the  reservoir  on  the 
top  of  the  tower. 

"  Ah,  ah,"  said  she,  "  I  will  go  thither  to 
them.  These  fish  are  past  doubt  of  a  species 
that  by  a  small  operation  I  can  render  oracu- 
lar. They  may  tell  me  where  this  little 
Gulchenrouz  is,  whom  I  am  bent  upon  sacri- 
ficing." 

Having  thus  spoken,  she  immediately  set 
out  with  her  swarthy  retinue. 

It  being  but  seldom  that  time  is  lost  in  the 
accomplishment  of  a  wicked  enterprise,  Cara- 
this and  her  negresses  soon  arrived  at  the 
lake,  where,  after  burning  the  magical  drugs 
with  which  they  were  always  provided,  they, 
stripping  themselves  naked,  waded  to  their 
chins,  Nerkes  and  Cafour  waving  torches 
around  them,  and  Carathis  pronouncing  her 
barbarous  incantations.  The  fishes  with  one 
accord  thrust  forth  their  heads  from  the  water, 
which  was  violently  rippled  by  the  flutter  of 
their  fins,  and  at  length,  finding  themselves 
constrained  by  the  potency  of  the  charm,  they 
opened  their  piteous  mouths,  said  : 

"  From  gills  to  tail  we  are  yours ;  what  seek 
ye  to  know  ?  " 

"  Fishes,"  answered  she,  "  I  conjure  you,  by 
your  glittering  scales,  tell  me  where  now  is 
Gulchenrouz  ?  " 

*'  Beyond  the  rock,"  replied  the  shoal  in  full 
chorus :  "  will  this  content  you  ?  for  we  do 
not  delight  in  expanding  our  mouths." 

"  It  will,"  returned  the  princess :  "  I  am  not 


to  learn  that  you  like  not  long  conversations; 
I  will  leave  you  therefore  to  repose,  though  I 
had  other  questions  to  propound." 

The  instant  she  had  spoken  the  water  be- 
came smooth,  and  the  fishes  at  once  disap- 
peared. 

Carathis,  inflated  with  the  venom  of  her 
projects,  strode  hastily  over  the  rock,  and 
found  the  amiable  Gulchenrouz  asleep  in  an 
arbor,  whilst  the  two  dwarfs  were  watching 
at  his  side,  and  ruminating  their  accustomed 
prayers.  These  diminutive  personages  pos- 
sessed the  gift  of  divining  whenever  an  enemy 
to  good  Mussulmans  approached  ;  thus  they 
anticipated  the  arrival  of  Carathis,  who,  stop- 
ping short,  said  to  herself : 

"  How  placidly  doth  he  recline  his  lovely 
little  head !  how  pale  and  languishing  are 
his  looks  !  it  is  just  the  very  child  of  my 
wishes  ! " 

The  dwarfs  interrupted  this  delectable  so- 
liloquy by  leaping  instantly  upon  her,  and 
scratching  her  face  with  their  utmost  zeal. 
But  Nerkes  and  Cafour,  betaking  themselves 
to  the  succor  of  their  mistress,  pinched  the 
dwarfs  so  severely  in  return,  that  they  both 
gave  up  the  ghost,  imploring  Mahomet  to 
inflict  his  sorest  vengeance  upon  this  wicked 
woman  and  all  her  household. 

At  the  noise  which  this  strange  conflict 
occasioned  in  the  valley,  Gulchenrouz  awoke, 
and,  bewildered  with  terror,  sprung  impetu- 
ously upon  an  old  fig-tree  that  rose  against  tlie 
acclivity  of  the  rocks,  from  thence  gained  their 
summits,  and  ran  for  two  hours  without  once 
looking  back.  At  last  exhausted  with  fatigue, 
he  fell  as  if  dead  into  the  arms  of  a  good 
old  Genius,  whose  fondness  for  the  company 
of  children  had  made  it  his  sole  occupation 
to  protect  them,  and  who,  whilst  performing 
his  wonted  rounds  through  the  air,  happen- 


ing  on  the  cruel  Giaour  at  the  instant  of  his 
growling  in  the  horrible  chasm,  rescued  the 
fifty  little  victims  which  the  impiety  of  Va- 
thek  had  devoted  to  his  maw.  These  the 
Genius  brought  up  in  nests  still  higher  than 
the  clouds,  and  himself  fixed  his  abode  in 
a  nest  more  capacious  than  the  rest,  fron? 
which  he  had  expelled  the  possessors  that  had 
built  it. 

These  inviolable  asylums  were  defended 
against  the  Dives  and  the  Afrits  by  waving 
streamers,  on  which  were  inscribed,  in  charac- 
ters of  gold  that  flashed  like  lightning,  the 
names  of  Allah  and  the  prophet.  It  was  there 
that  Gulchenrouz,  who  as  yet  remained  unde- 
ceived with  respect  to  his  pretended  death, 
thought  himself  in  the  mansions  of  eternal 
peace.  He  admitted  without  fear  the  congrat- 
ulations of  his  little  friends,  who  were  all 
assembled  in  the  nest  of  the  venerable  Genius, 
and  vied  with  each  other  in  kissing  his  serene 
forehead  and  beautiful  eyelids.  This  he  found 
to  be  the  state  congenial  to  his  soul — remote 
from  the  inquietudes  of  earth,  the  imperti- 
nence of  harems,  the  brutality  of  eunuchs, 
and  the  lubricity  of  women.  In  this  peaceable 
society  his  days,  months,  and  years  glided  on, 
nor  was  he  less  happy  than  the  rest  of  his 
companions,  for  the  Genius,  instead  of  burden- 
ing his  pupils  with  perishable  riches,  and  the 
vain  sciences  of  the  world,  conferred  upon 
them  the  boon  of  perpetual  childhood. 

Carathis,  unaccustomed  to  the  loss  of  her 
prey,  vented  a  thousand  execrations  on  her 
negresses  for  not  seizing  the  child,  instead  of 
amusing  themselves  with  pinching  to  death 
the  dwarfs,  from  which  they  could  gain  no 
advantage.  She  returned  into  the  valley  mur- 
muring, and,  finding  that  her  son  was  not  risen 
from  the  arms  of  Nouronihar,  discharged  her 
ill-humor  upon  both.  The  idea,  however,  of 
8 


114  VATTIEK, 

departing  next  day  for  Istakhar,  and  cultivate 
ing,  through  the  good  offices  of  the  Giaour, 
an  intimacy  with  Eblis  himself,  at  length  con- 
soled her  chagrin :  but  fate  had  ordained  it 
otherwise. 

In  the  evening,  as  Carathis  Was  conversing 
witli  Dilara,  who  through  her  contrivance  had 
become  of  the  party,  and  whose  taste  resembled 
lier  own,  Bababalouk  came  to  acquaint  her 
''that  the  sky  towards  Samarah  looked  of  a 
fiery  red,  and  seemed  to  portend  some  alarm- 
ing disaster."  Immediately  recurring  to  her 
astrolabes  and  instruments  of  magic,  she  took 
the  altitude  of  the  planets,  and  discovered  by 
her  calculations,  to  her  great  mortification, 
that  a  formidable  revolt  had  taken  place  at 
Samarah,  that  Motavakel,  availing  himself  of 
the  disgust  which  was  inveterate  against  his 
brother,  had  incited  commotions  amongst  the 
populace,  made  himself  master  of  the  palace, 
and  actually  invested  the  great  tower,  to  which 
Morakanabad  had  retired  with  a  handful  of 
the  few  that  still  remained  faithful  to  Vathek. 

"  What,"  she  exclaimed,  *'  must  I  lo^  then 
my  tower,  my  mutes,  my  negresses,  my  mum- 
mies, and,  worse  than  all,  the  laboratory,  in 
which  I  have  spent  so  many  a  night,  without 
knowing,  at  least,  if  my  hair-brained  son  will 
complete  his  adventure  ?  No  !  I  will  not  be 
the  dupe  !  Immediately  will  I  speed  to  sup- 
port Morakanabad.  By  my  formidable  art  the 
clouds  shall  sleet  hail-stones  in  the  faces  of  the 
assailants,  and  shafts  of  red-hot  iron  on  their 
1  leads.  I  will  spring  mines  of  serpents  and 
torpedoes  from  beneath  them,  and  we  shall 
soon  see  the  stand  they  will  make  against  such 
an  explosion  ! " 

Having  thus  spoken,  Carathis  hastened  to  her 
son,  who  was  tranquilly  banqueting  with  Nou- 
ronihar  in  his  superb  carnation-colored  tent. 

*' Glutton  that  thou  art,"  cried  she,  "were 


fATEEK,  115 

it  not  for  me,  thou  wouldst  soon  find  thyself 
the  commander  only  of  pies.  Thy  faithful 
subjects  have  abjured  the  faith  they  swore  to 
thee.  Motavakel  thy  brother  now  reigns  on 
the  hill  of  pied  horses ;  and,  had  I  not  some 
slight  resources  in  the  tower,  would  not  be 
easily  persuaded  to  abdicate.  But  that  time 
may  not  be  lost,  I  shall  only  add  four  words  : 
strike  tent  to-night ;  set  forward  ;  and  beware 
how  thou  loiterest  again  by  the  way.  Though 
thou  hast  forfeited  the  conditions  of  the  parch- 
ment, I  am  not  yet  without  hope  ;  for  it  cannot 
be  denied  that  thou  hast  violated  to  admiration 
the  laws  of  hospitality  by  seducing  the  daugh- 
ter of  the  emir,  after  partaking  of  his  bread 
and  his  salt.  Such  a  conduct  cannot  but  be 
delightful  to  the  Giaour ;  and  if  on  thy  march 
thou  canst  signalize  thyself  by  an  additional 
crime,  all  will  still  go  well,  and  thou  shalt  enter 
the  palace  of  Soliman  in  triumph.  Adieu ! 
Alboufaki  and  my  negresses  are  waiting." 

The  Caliph  had  nothing  to  offer  in  reply: 
he  wished  his  mother  a  prosperous  journey, 
and  eat  on  till  he  had  finished  his  supper.  At 
midnight  the  camp  broke  up,  amidst  the  flour- 
ishing of  trumpets  and  other  martial  instru- 
ments ;  but  loud  indeed  must  have  been  the 
sound  of  the  tymbals,  to  overpower  the  blub- 
bering of  the  emir  and  his  long-beards,  who 
by  an  excessive  profusion  of  tears  had  so  far 
exhausted  the  radical  moisture,  that  their  eyes 
shriveled  up  in  their  sockets,  and  their  hairs 
dropped  off  by  the  roots.  Nouronihar,  to  whom 
such  a  symphony  was  painful,  did  not  grieve 
to  get  out  of  hearing.  She  accompanied  the 
Caliph  in  the  imperial  litter,  where  they  amused 
themselves  with  imagining  the  splendor  which 
was  soon  to  surround  them.  The  other  women, 
overcome  with  dejection,  were  dolefully  rocked 
in  their  cages,  whilst  Dilara  consoled  herself 
with   anticipating  the   joy  of  celebrating  the 


lie  irATHt^K. 

rites  of  fire  on  the  stately  terraces  of  Istakhar. 

In  four  days  they  reached  the  spacious  val- 
ley of  Rocnabad.  The  season  of  spring  was  in 
all  its  vigor,  and  the  grotesque  branches  of  the 
almond  trees  in  full  blossom  fantastically 
checkered  the  clear  blue  sky.  The  earth,  va- 
riegated with  hyacinths  and  jonquils, breathed 
forth  a  fragrance  which  diffused  through  the 
soul  a  divine  repose.  Myriads  of  bees,  and 
scarce  fewer  of  Santons,  had  there  taken  up 
their  abode.  On  the  banks  of  the  stream  hives 
and  oratories  were  alternately  ranged,  and 
their  neatness  and  whiteness  were  set  off  by 
the  deep  green  of  the  cypresses  that  spired  up 
amongst  them.  These  pious  personages  a- 
mused  themselves  with  cultivating  little  gardens 
that  abounded  with  flowers  and  fruits,  espe- 
cially muskmelonsofthe  best  flavor  that  Persia 
could  boast.  Sometimes,  dispersed  over  the 
meadow,  they  entertained  themselves  with 
feeding  peacocks  whiter  than  snow,  and  turtles 
more  blue  than  the  sapphire.  In  this  manner 
were  they  occupied  when  the  harbingers  of 
the  imperial  procession  began  to  proclaim : 

"  Inhabitants  of  Rocnabad,  prostrate  your- 
selves on  the  brink  of  your  pure  waters,  and 
tender  your  thanksgivings  to  Heaven  that 
vouchsafeth  to  show  you  a  ray  of  its  glory  ;  for 
lo  !  the  commander  of  the  faithful  draws  near." 

The  poor  Santons,  filled  with  holy  energy, 
having  bustled  to  light  up  wax  torches  in  their 
oratories,  and  expand  the  Koran  on  their  ebony 
desks,  went  forth  to  meet  the  Caliph  with 
baskets  of  honeycomb,  dates,  and  melons. 
But  whilst  they  were  advancing  in  solemn  pro- 
cession and  with  measured  steps,  the  horses, 
camels,  and  guards  w^antoned  over  their  tulips 
and  other  flowers,  and  made  a  terrible  havoc 
amongst  them.  The  Santons  could  not  help 
casting  from  one  eye  a  look  of  pity  on  the  rav- 
ages committing  around  them,  whilst  the  other 


VATHEK.  117 

was  fixed  upon  the  Caliph  and  heaven.  Nou- 
ronihar,  enraptured  with  the  scenery  of  a  place 
which  brought  back  to  her  remembrance  the 
pleasing  solitudes  where  her  infancy  had 
passed,  entreated  Vathek  to  stop ;  but  he, 
suspecting  that  each  oratory  might  be  deemed 
by  the  Giaour  a  distinct  habitation,  command- 
ed his  pioneers  to  level  them  all.  The  Santons 
stood  motionless  with  horror  at  the  barbarous 
mandate,  and  at  last  broke  out  into  lamenta- 
tions, but  these  were  uttered  with  so  ill  a 
grace,  that  Vathek  bade  his  eunuchs  to  kick 
them  from  his  presence.  He  then  descended 
from  the  litter  with  Nouronihar.  They  saun- 
tered together  in  the  meadow,  and  amused 
themselves  with  culling  flowers,  and  passing  a 
thousand  pleasantries  on  each  other.  But  the 
bees,  who  were  stanch  Mussulmans,  thinking 
it  their  duty  to  revenge  the  insult  on  their 
dear  masters  the  Santons,  assembled  so  zeal- 
ously to  do  it  with  effect,  that  the  Caliph  and 
Nouronihar  were  glad  to  find  their  tents  pre- 
pared to  receive  them. 

Bababalouk,  who,  in  capacity  of  purveyor, 
had  acquitted  himself  with  applause,  as  to 
peacocks  and  turtles,  lost  no  time  in  consign- 
ing some  dozens  to  the  spit,  and  as  many  more 
to  be  fricasseed.  Whilst  they  were  feasting, 
laughing,  carousing,  and  blaspheming  at  pleas- 
ure on  the  banquet  so  liberally  furnished,  the 
MouUahs,  the  Sheiks,  the  Cadis,  and  Imans  of 
Schiraz  (who  seemed  not  to  have  met  the 
Santons)  arrived,  leading  by  bridles  of  ribbon, 
inscribed  from  the  Koran,  a  train  of  asses 
which  were  loaded  with  the  choicest  fruits  the 
country  could  boast.  Having  presented  their 
offerings  to  the  Caliph,  they  petitioned  him  to 
honor  their  city  and  mosques  with  his  presence, 

"  Fancy  not,'*  said  Vathek,  "  that  you  can 
detain  me.  Your  presents  I  condescend  to 
accept,  but  beg  you  will  let  me  be  quiet,  for  J 


118  VATBEK. 

am  not  over  fond  of  resisting  temptation.  Re- 
tire then.  Yet,  as  it  is  not  decent  for  person- 
ages so  reverend  to  return  on  foot,  and  as  you 
have  not  the  appearance  of  expert  riders,  my 
eunuchs  shall  tie  you  on  your  asses  with  the 
precaution  that  your  backs  be  not  turned 
towards  me,  for  they  understand  etiquette." 

In  this  deputation  were  some  high-stom- 
ached Sheiks,  who,  taking  Vathek  for  a  fool, 
scrupled  not  to  speak  their  opinion.  These 
Bababalouk  girded  with  double  cords  ;  and 
having  well  disciplined  their  asses  with  nettles 
behind,  they  all  started  with  a  preternatural 
alertness,  plunging,  kicking,  and  running  foul 
of  each  other  in  the  most  ludicrous  manner 
imaginable. 

Nouronihar  and  the  Caliph  mutually  con- 
tended who  should  most  enjoy  so  degrading  a 
sight.  They  burst  out  in  volleys  of  laughter 
to  see  the  old  men  and  their  asses  fall  into  the 
stream.  The  leg  of  one  was  fractured,  the 
shoulder  of  another  dislocated,  the  teeth  of  a 
third  dashed  out,  and  the  rest  suffered  still 
worse. 

Two  days  more,  undisturbed  by  fresh  em- 
bassies, having  been  devoted  to  the  pleasures 
of  Rocnabad,  the  expedition  proceeded,  leaving 
Schiraz  on  the  right,  and  verging  towards  a 
large  plain,  from  whence  were  discernible  on 
the  edge  of  the  horizon  the  dark  summits  of 
the  mountains  of  Istakhar. 

At  this  prospect  the  Caliph  and  Nouronihar 
were  unable  to  repress  their  transports.  They 
bounded  from  their  litter  to  the  ground,  and 
broke  forth  into  such  wild  exclamations  as 
amazed  all  within  hearing.  Interrogating  each 
other,  they  shouted, — 

''  Are  we  not  approaching  the  radiant  palace 
of  light,  or  gardens  more  delightful  than  those 
of  Sheddad  ?  " 

Infatuated  mortals !  they  thus  indulged  de- 


VATHEK.  119 

lusive  conjecture,  unable  to  fathom  the  decrees 
of  the  Most  High  ! 

The  good  Genii,  who  had  not  totally  relin- 
quished the  superintendence  of  Vathek,  repair- 
ing to  Mahomet  in  the  seventh  heaven,  said  : 

"  Merciful  Prophet !  stretch  forth  thy  pro- 
pitious arms  towards  thy  vicegerent,  who  U 
ready  to  fall  irretrievably  into  the  snare  which 
his  enemies,  the  Dives,  have  prepared  to  de- 
stroy him.  The  Giaour  is  awaiting  his  arrival 
in  the  abominable  palace  of  fire,  where  if  he 
once  set  his  foot  his  perdition  will  be  inevit- 
able." 

Mahomet  answered  with  an  air  of  indigna- 
tion : 

"  He  hath  too  well  deserved  to  be  resigned 
to  himself ;  but  I  permit  you  to  try  if  one 
effort  more  will  be  effectual  to  divert  him  from 
pursuing  his  ruin." 

One  of  these  beneficent  Genii,  assuming 
without  delay  the  exterior  of  a  shepherd,  more 
renowned  for  his  piety  than  all  the  Dervises 
and  Santons  of  the  region,  took  his  station 
near  a  flock  of  white  sheep  on  the  slope  of 
a  hill,  and  began  to  pour  forth  from  his  flute 
such  airs  of  pathetic  melody,  as  subdued  the 
very  soul,  and,  awakening  remorse,  drove  far 
from  it  every  frivolous  fancy.  At  these  ener- 
getic sounds,  the  sun  hid  himself  beneath  a 
gloomy  cloud;  and  the  waters  of  two  little 
lakes,  that  were  naturally  clearer  than  crys- 
tal, became  a  color  like  blood.  The  whole  of 
this  superb  assembly  was  involuntarily  drawn 
towards  the  declivity  of  the  hill.  With  down- 
cast eyes,  they  all  stood  abashed ;  each  up- 
braiding himself  with  the  evil  he  had  done. 
The  heart  of  Dilara  palpitated  ;  and  the  chief 
of  the  eunuchs,  with  a  sigh  of  contrition, 
implored  pardon  of  the  women,  whom  for 
liis  own  satisfaction,  he  had  so  often  tor- 
mented. 


^20  VATEEK. 

Vathek  and  Nouronihar  turned  pale  in  their 
litter,  and,  regarding  each  other  with  haggard 
looks,  reproached  themselves  :  the  one  with  a 
thousnad  of  the  blackest  crimes,  a  thousand 
projects  of  impious  ambition  ;  the  other,  with 
the  desolation  of  her  family,  and  the  perdition 
of  the  amiable  Gulchenrouz.  Nouronihar  per- 
suaded herself  that  she  heard  in  the  fatal 
music  the  groans  of  her  dying  father ;  and 
Vathek,  the  sobs  of  the  fifty  children  he  had 
sacrificed  to  the  Giaour.  Amidst  these  com- 
plicated pangs  of  anguish,  they  perceived 
themselves  impelled  towards  the  shepherd, 
whose  countenance  was  so  commanding,  that 
Vathek,  for  the  first  time,  felt  overawed ; 
whilst  Nouronihar  concealed  her  face  with  her 
hands.  The  music  paused,  and  the  Genius, 
addressing  the  Caliph,  said  : 

"  Deluded  Prince  !  to  whom  Providence  hath 
confided  the  care  of  innumerable  subjects,  is 
it  thus  that  thou  f ulfillest  by  mission  ?  Thy 
crimes  are  already  completed ;  and  art  thou 
now  hastening  towards  thy  punishment  ?  Thou 
knowest,  that  beyond  these  mountains,  Eblis 
and  his  accursed  Dives  hold  their  infernal 
empire  ;  and  seduced  by  a  malignant  phantom, 
thou  art  proceeding  to  surrender  thyself  to 
them  !  This  moment  is  the  last  of  grace  al- 
lowed thee  !  Abandon  thy  atrocious  purpose. 
Return.  Give  back  Nouronihar  to  her  father, 
who  still  retains  a  few  sparks  of  life.  Destroy 
thy  tower,  with  all  its  abominations.  Drive 
Carathis  from  thy  councils.  Be  just  to  thy 
subjects.  Respect  the  ministers  of  the  Prophet. 
Compensate  for  thy  impieties  by  an  exemplary 
life  ;  and,  instead  of  squandering  thy  days  in 
voluptuous  indulgence,  lament  thy  crimes  on 
the  sepulchres  of  thy  ancestors,  Thou  behold- 
est  the  clouds  that  obscure  the  sun  ;  at  the 
instant  he  recovers  his  splendor,  if  thy  heart 
be  not  changed,  the  time  of  mercy  assigned 
tihee  will  be  passed  forever, 


VATHEK.  121 

Vaishek,  depressed  with  fear,  was  on  the 
point  of  prostrating  himself  at  the  feet  of  the 
shepherd,  whom  he  perceived  to  be  of  a  nature 
superior  to  man,  but  his  pride  prevailing,  he 
audaciously  lifted  his  head,  and  glancing  at 
liim  one  of  his  terrible  looks,  said : 

'*•  Whoever  thou  art,  withhold  thy  useless 
admonitions.  Thou  wouldst  either  delude  me, 
or  art  thyself  deceived.  If  what  I  have  done 
be  so  criminal  as  thou  pretendest,  there  re- 
mains not  for  me  a  moment  of  grace.  I  hav^ 
traversed  a  sea  of  blood,  to  acquire  a  powei 
which  will  make  thy  equals  tremble  :  deem  not 
that  I  shall  retire  when  in  view  of  the  port ;  or 
that  I  will  relinquish  her  who  is  dearer  to  me 
than  either  my  life  or  thy  mercy.  Let  the  sun 
appear  !  Let  him  illumine  my  career  !  It  mat- 
ters not  where  it  may  end." 

On  uttering  these  words,  which  made  even 
the  Genius  shudder,  Vathek  threw  himself  in- 
to the  arms  of  Nouronihar,  and  commanded 
that  his  horses  should  be  forced  back  to  the 
road. 

There'  Avas  no  difficulty  in  obeying  these 
orders,  for  the  attraction  had  ceased,  the  sun 
shone  forth  in  all  his  glory,  and  the  shepherd 
vanished  with  a  lamentable  scream. 

The  fatal  impression  of  the  music  of  the 
Genius  remained,  notwithstanding,  in  the 
hearts  of  Vathek's  attendants.  They  viewed 
each  other  with  looks  of  consternation.  At 
the  approach  of  night,  almost  all  of  them  es- 
caped; and,  of  this  numerous  assemblage, 
there  only  remained  the  chief  of  the  eunuchs, 
some  idolatrous  slaves,  Dilara,  and  a  few  other 
Avomen,  who,  like  herself  were  votaries  of  the 
religion  of  the  Magi. 

The  Caliph,  fired  with  the  ambition  of  pre- 
scribing laws  to  the  Intelligences  of  Darkness, 
was  but  little  embarrassed  at  tliis  dereliction. 

The  impetuosity  of  his  blood  prevented  hiu) 


122 .'  VATHEK 

from  sleeping ;  nor  did  he  encamp  any  more  as 
before.  Nouronihar,  whose  impatience,  if  pos- 
sible, exceeded  his  own,  importuned  him  to 
hasten  his  march,  and  lavished  on  him  a  thou- 
sand caresses,  to  beguile  all  reflection.  She 
fancied  herself  already  more  potent  than  Bal- 
kis ;  *  and  pictured  to  her  imagination  the 
Genii  falling  prostrate  at  the  foot  of  her  throne. 
In  this  manner,  they  advanced,  by  moonlight, 
till  they  came  within  view  of  the  two  towering 
rocks,  that  form  a  kind  of  portal  to  the  valley, 
at  whose  extremity  rose  the  vast  ruins  of  Istak- 
har.  Aloft  on  the  mountain,  glimmered  the 
fronts  of  various  royal  mausoleums,  the  horror 
of  which  was  deepened  by  the  shadows  of 
night.  They  passed  through  two  villages, 
almost  deserted ;  the  only  inhabitants  remain- 
ing being  a  few  feeble  old  men,  who  at  the 
sight  of  horses  and  litters  fell  upon  their  knees, 
and  cried  out : 

"  O  heaven  !  is  it  then  by  these  phantoms 
that  we  have  been  for  six  months  tormented ! 
Alas !  it  was  from  the  terror  of  these  spectres, 
and  the  noise  beneath  the  mountains,  that  our 
people  have  fled,  and  left  us  at  the  mercy  of 
maleficent  spirits !  " 

The  Caliph,  to  whom  these  complaints  were 
but  unpromising  auguries,  drove  over  the  bod- 
ies of  these  wretched  old  men,  and  at  length 
arrived  at  the  foot  of  the  terrace  of  black 
marble.  There  he  descended  from  his  litter, 
handing  down  Nouronihar  ;  both,  with  beating 
hearts,  stared  wildly  around  them,  and  ex- 
pected, with  an  apprehensive  shudder,  the 
approach  of  the  Giaour.  But  nothing  as  yet 
announced  his  appearance. 

*  This  was  the  Arabian  name  of  the  Queen  of  Sheba, 
who  went  from  the  South  to  hear  the  wisdom  and  admire 
the  glory  of  Solomon.  The  Koran  represents  her  as  a 
worshipper  of  fire.  Solomon  is  said  not  only  to  have  en- 
tertained her  with  the  greatest  magnificence,  but  also  to 
have  raised  her  to  his  bed  and  liis  thro 
27,  and  Saleh  notes.    Herbelot,  p.  182. 


VATHEK.  123 

A  deathlike  stillness  reigned  over  the  mount- 
ain, and  through  the  air.  The  moon  dilated, 
on  a  vast  platform,  the  shades  of  the  lofty  col- 
umns, which  reached  from  the  terrace  almost 
to  the  clouds.  The  gloomy  watch-towers, 
whose  number  could  not  be  counted,  were 
veiled  by  no  roof ;  and  their  capitals,  of  an 
architecture  unknown  in  the  records  of  the 
earth,  served  as  an  asylum  for  the  birds  of  dark- 
ness, which,  alarmed  at  the  approach  of  such 
visitants,  fled  away  croaking. 

The  chief  of  the  eunuchs,  trembling  with 
fear,  besought  Vathek  that  a  fire  might  be 
kindled, 

"  No  !  "  replied  he,  "  there  is  no  time  left  to 
think  of  such  trifles  ;  abide  where  thou  art,  and 
expect  my  commands." 

Having  thus  spoken,  he  presented  his  hand 
to  Nouronihar,  and,  ascending  the  steps  of  a 
vast  staircase,  reached  the  terrace,  which  was 
flagged  with  squares  of  marble,  and  resembled 
a  smooth  expanse  of  water,  upon  whose  sur- 
face'not  a  leaf  ever  dared  to  vegetate.  On  the 
right  rose  the  watch-towers,  ranged  before  the 
ruins  of  an  immense  palace,  whose  walls  were 
embossed  with  vigorous  figures.  In  front  stood 
forth  the  colossal  forms  of  four  creatures,  com- 
posed of  the  leopard  and  the  griffin ,  and, 
though  but  of  stone,  inspired  emotions  of 
terror.  Near  those  were  distinguished  by  the 
splendor  of  the  moon,  which  streamed  full  on 
the  place,  characters  like  those  on  the  sabres 
of  the  Giaour,  that  possessed  the  same  virtue 
of  changing  every  moment.  These,  after  vac- 
illating for  some  time,  at  last  fixed  in  Arabic 
letters,  and  prescribed  to  the  Caliph  the  follow- 
ing words  : 

"  Vathek  !  thou  hast  violated  the  conditions 
of  my  parchment,  and  deservest  to  be  sent 
back ;  but  in  favor  to  thy  companion,  and  as 
the  meed  for  what  thou  hast  done  to  obtain  itj 


124  VATHEK. 

Eblis  permitteth  that  the  portal  of  his  palace 
shall  be  opened,  and  the  subterranean  fire  wiU 
receive  thee  into  the  number  of  its  adorers." 

He  scarcely  had  read  these  words  before  the 
mountain,  against  which  the  terrace  was  reared, 
trembled  ;  and  the  watch-towers  were  ready  to 
topple  headlong  upon  them.  The  rock  yawned, 
and  disclosed  within  it  a  staircase  of  polished 
marble,  that  seemed  to  approach  the  abyss. 
Upon  each  stair  was  planted  two  large 
torches,  like  those  Nouronihar  had  seen  in  her 
vision,  the  camphorated  vapor  ascending  from 
which  gathered  into  a  cloud  under  the  hollow 
of  the  vault. 

This  appearance,  instead  of  terrifying,  gave 
new  courage  to  the  daughter  of  Fakreddin. 
Scarcely  deigning  to  bid  adieu  to  the  moon 
and  the  firmament,  she  abandoned  without 
hesitation  the  pure  atmosphere,  to  plunge  into 
these  infernal  exhalations.  The  gait  of  those 
impious  personages  was  haughty  and  deter- 
mined. As  they  descended,  by  the  effulgence 
of  the  torches,  they  gazed  on  each  other  with 
mutual  admiration,  and  both  appeared  so 
resplendent,  that  they  already  esteemed  them- 
selves spiritual  intelligences.  The  only  cir- 
cumstance that  perplexed  them  was  their  not 
arriving  at  the  bottom  of  the  stairs.  On  has- 
tening their  descent,  with  an  ardent  impetu- 
osity, they  felt  their  steps  accelerated  to  such 
a  degree,  that  they  seemed  not  walking,  but 
falling  from  a  precipice.  Their  progress,  how- 
ever, was  at  length  impeded  by  a  vast  portal 
of  ebony,  which  the  Caliph  without  difficulty 
recognized.  Here  the  Giaour  awaited  them, 
with  his  key  in  his  hand. 

''  Ye  are  welcome  !  "  said  he  to  them,  with  a 
ghastly  smile,  "  in  spite  of  Mahomet,  and  all 
his  dependants.  I  will  now  admit  you  into 
that  palace,  where  you  have  so  highly  merited 
a  place." 


VATHEK.  1^5 

Whilst  he  was  uttering  these  words,  he 
touched  the  enamelled  lock  with  his  key,  and 
the  doors  at  once  expanded  with  a. noise  still 
louder  than  the  thunder  of  mountains,  and  as 
suddenly  recoiled  the  moment  they  had  en- 
tered. 

The  Caliph  and  Nouronihar  beheld  each 
other  with  amazement,  at  finding  themselves 
in  a  place  which,  though  roofed  with  a  vaulted 
ceiling,  was  so  spacious  and  lofty,  that  at  first 
they  took  it  for  an  immeasurable  plain.  But 
their  eyes  at  length  growing  familiar  to  the 
grandeur  of  the  objects  at  hand,  they  extended 
their  view  to  those  at  a  distance,  and  discov- 
ered rows  of  columns  and  arcades,  which  grad- 
ually diminished,  till  they  terminated  in  a 
point,  radiant  as  the  sun,  when  he  darts  his 
last  beams  athwart  the  ocean.  The  pavement, 
strewed  over  with  gold  dust  and  saffron,  ex- 
haled so  subtile  an  odor  as  almost  overpowered 
them.  They,  however,  went  on,  and  observed 
an  infinity  of  censers,  in  which  ambergris  and 
the  wood  of  aloes  were  continually  burning. 
Between  these  several  columns  were  placed 
tables,  each  spread  with  a  profusion  of  viands, 
and  wines  of  every  species,  sparkling  in  vases 
of  crystal.  A  throng  of  Genii,  and  other 
fantastic  spirits,  of  each  sex,  danced  lascivi- 
ously in  troops,  at  the  sound  of  music  which 
issued  from  beneath. 

In  the  midst  of  this  immense  hall,  a  vast 
multitude  was  incessantly  passing,  who  several- 
ly kept  their  right  hand  on  their  hearts,  with- 
out once  regarding  anything  around  them. 
They  had  all  the  livid  paleness  of  death.  Their 
eyes,  deep  sank  in  their  sockets,  resembled 
those  phosphoric  meteors,  that  glimmer  by 
night  in  places  of  interment.  Some  stalked 
slowly  on,  absorbed  in  profound  reverie :  some 
shrieking  with  agony,  ran  furiously  about,  like 
tigers  wounded  with  poisoned  arrows  :  wliilst 


li>d  VATHEK. 

others,  grinding  their  teeth  in  rage,  foamed, 
along,  more  frantic  than  the  wildest  maniac. 
They  all  avoided  each  other,  and  though  sur- 
rounded by  a  multitude  that  no  one  could 
number^  each  wandered  at  random  Unheedful 
of  the  rest,  as  if  alone  on  a  desert  which  no 
foot  had  trodden; 

Vathek  and  Nouronihar,  frozen  With  terror 
at  a  sight  so  baleful,  demanded  of  the  Giaour 
what  these  appearances  might  mean,  and  why 
these  ambulating  spectres  never  withdrew  their 
hands  from  their  hearts. 

"  Perplex  not  yourselves,"  replied  he  blunt- 
ly, "  with  so  much  at  once,  you  will  soon  be 
acquainted  with  all;  let  us  haste-  and  present 
you  to  Eblis."  ' 

They  continued  their  way  through  the  mul- 
titude, but  notwithstanding  their  confidence 
at  first,  they  were  not  sufficiently  composed  to 
examine  with  attention  the  various  perspectives 
of  halls,  and  of  galleries,  that  opened  on  the 
right  hand  and  left,  which  were  all  illuminated 
by  torches  and  braziers,  whose  flames  rose  in 
pyramids,  to  the  center  of  the  vault.  At  length 
they  came  to  a  place  where  long  curtains, 
brocaded  with  crimson  and  gold,  fell  from  all 
parts  in  striking  confusion.  Here  the  choirs 
and  dances  were  heard  no  longer.  The  light 
which  glimmered  came  from  afar. 

After  some  time  Vathek  and  Nouronihar 
perceived  a  gleam  brightening  through  the 
drapery,  and  entered  a  vast  tabernacle,  carpet- 
ed with  the  skins  of  leopards.  An  infinity  of 
elders,  with  streaming  beards,  and  Afrits,  in 
complete  armor,  had  prostrated  themselves 
before  the  ascent  of  a  lofty  eminence,  on  the 
top  of  which,  upon  a  globe  of  fire,  sat  the  for- 
midable Eblis.  His  person  was  that  of  a  young 
man,  whose  noble  and  regular  features  seemed 
to  have  been  tarnished  by  malignant  vapors.  In 
his  large  eyes  appeared  both  pride  and  despair ; 


his  flowing  hair  retained  some  resemblance  to 
that  of  an  angel  of  light.  In  his  hand,  which 
thunder  had  blasted,  he  swayed  the  iron  scep- 
ter, that  causes  the  monster  Ouranabad^  *  the 
Afrits,  and  all  the  powers  of  the  abyss  to  trem* 
ble.  At  his  presence  the  heart  of  the  Caliph 
sank  within  him,  and,  for  the  first  time,  he  fell 
prostrate  on  his  face.  Nouronihar,  however, 
though  greatly  dismayed,  could  not  help  admir- 
ing the  person  of  Eblis,  for  she  expected  to 
have  seen  some  stupendous  giaut.  Eblis,  with 
a  voice  more  mild  than  might  be  imagined, 
but  such  as  transfused  through  the  soul  the 
deepest  melancholy,  said  : 

"  Creatures  of  clay,  I  receive  you  into 
mine  empire.  Ye  are  numbered  amongst  my 
adorers.  Enjoy  whatever  this  palace  affords, 
— the  treasures  of  the  pre-Adamite  sultans, 
their  bickering  sabres,  and  those  talismans  that 
compel  the  Dives  to  open  the  subterranean 
expanses  of  the  mountain  of  Kaf,  which  com- 
municate with  these.  There,  insatiable  as 
your  curiosity  may  be,  shall  you  find  sufficient 
to  gratify  it.  You  shall  possess  the  exclusive 
privilege  of  entering  the  fortress  of  Aherman, 
and  the  halls  of  Argenk,  where  are  portrayed 
all  creatures  endowed  with  intelligence,  and 
the  various  animals  that  inhabited  the  earth 
prior  to  the  creation  of  that  contemptible 
being  whom  ye  denominate  the  Father  of 
Mankind." 

Vathek  and  Nouronihar  feeling  themselves 
revived  and  encouraged  by  this  harangue, 
eagerly  said  to  the  Giaour  : 

*  This  monster  is  represented  as  a  fierce,  flying  hydra,  and 
belongs  to  the  same  class  with  the  Rak.she,  whose  ordinary 
food  was  serpents  and  dragons;  the  Soham,  which  had  the 
head  of  a  liorse,  witli  four  eyes  and  the  body  of  a  flame- 
colored  dragon;  tlie  Syl,  a  basilisk  with  a  face  resembling 
the  human,  but  so  tremendous  that  no  mortal  could  bear 
to  be  hold  it;  the  Ejder,  and  others. — See  these  respective 
titles  in  Richardson's  Dictionary,  Persian,  Arabic,  and 
English. 


i^^  VATHElt. 

"  Bring  us  instantly  to  the  place  which  con- 
tains these  precious  talismans." 

"  Come,"  answered  this  wicked  Dive,  witli 
his  malignant  grin  ;  "  come,  and  possess  all 
that  my  sovereign  hath  promised,  and  more." 

He  then  conducted  them  into  a  long  aisle 
adjoining  the  tabernacle,  preceding  them  with 
hasty  steps,  and  followed  by  his  disciples  with 
the  utmost  alacrity.  They  reached  at  length 
a  hall  of  great  extent,  and  covered  with  a  lofty 
dome,  around  which  appeared  fifty  portals  of 
bronze,  secured  with  as  many  fastenings  of 
iron.  A  funereal  gloom  prevailed  over  the  whole 
scene.  Here,  upon  two  beds  of  incorruptible 
cedar,  lay  recumbent  the  fleshless  forms  of  tlie 
pre-Adamite  kings,  who  had  been  monarchs  of 
the  whole  earth.  They  still  possessed  enough  of 
life  to  be  conscious  of  their  deplorable  condi- 
tion. Their  eyes  retained  a  melancholy  motion  ; 
they  regarded  each  other  with  looks  of  the 
deepest  dejection,  each  holding  his  right  hand 
motionless  on  his  heart.  At  their  feet  were 
inscribed  the  events  of  their  several  reigns, 
their  power,  their  pride,  and  their  crimes. 
Soliman  Raad,  Soliman  Daki,  and  Soliman  Di 
Gian  Ben  Gian,  who,  after  having  chained  up 
the  Dives  in  the  dark  caverns  of  Kaf,  became 
so  presumptuous,  as  to  doubt  of  the  Supreme 
Power,  —  all  these  maintained  great  state, 
though  not  to  be  compared  with  the  eminence 
of  Soliman  Ben  Daoud. 

This  king,  so  renowned  for  his  wisdom,  Avas 
on  the  loftiest  elevation,  and  placed  immediate- 
ly under  the  dome.  He  appeared  to  possess 
more  animation  than  the  rest,  though,  from 
time  to  time,  he  labored  with  profound  sighs, 
and,  like  his  companions,  kept  his  right  hand 
on  his  heart ;  yet  his  countenance  was  more 
composed,  and  he  seemed  to  be  listening  to 
the  sullen  roar  of  a  vast  cataract,  visible  in 
part  through   the  grated    portals.     This  wa§ 


VATHEK.  129 

the  only  sound  that  intruded  on  the  silence  of 
these  doleful  mansions.  A  range  of  brazen 
vases  surrounded  the  elevation. 

''  Remove  the  covers  from  these  cabalistic 
depositaries,"  said  the  Giaour  to  Vathek,  '^  and 
avail  thyself  of  the  talismans,  which  will  break 
asunder  all  these  gates  of  bronze,  and  not  only 
render  thee  master  of  the  treasures  contained 
within  them,  but  also  of  the  spirits  by  which 
they  are  guarded." 

The  Caliph,  whom  this  ominous  preliminary 
had  entirely  disconcerted,  approached  the  vases 
with  faltering  footsteps,  and  was  ready  to 
sink  with  terror,  when  he  heard  the  groans  of 
Soliman.  As  he  proceeded,  a  voice  from  the 
livid  lips  of  the  prophet  articulated  these  words : 

"  In  my  lifetime,  I  filled  a  magnificent 
throne,  having  on  my  right  hand  twelve  thou- 
sand seats  of  gold,  where  the  patriarchs  and 
prophets  heard  my  doctrines ;  on  my  left  the 
sages  and  doctors,  upon  as  many  thrones  of 
silver,  Avere  present  at  all  my  decisions. 
Whilst  I  thus  administered  justice  to  innumer- 
able multitudes,  the  birds  of  the  air  librating 
over  me,  served  as  a  canopy  from  the  rays  of 
the  sun.  My  people  flourished,  and  my  palace 
rose  to  the  clouds.  I  erected  a  temple  to  the 
Most  High,  which  was  the  wonder  of  the  uni- 
verse ;  but  I  basely  suffered  myseK  to  be 
seduced  by  the  love  of  women,  and  a  curiosity 
that  could  not  be  restrained  by  sublunary 
things.  I  listened  to  the  counsels  of  Aher- 
man,  and  the  daughter  of  Pharaoh ;  and  adored 
fire,  and  the  host  of  heaven.  I  forsook  the 
holy  city,  and  commanded  the  Genii  to  rear 
the  stupendous  palace  of  Istakhar,  and  the 
terrace  of  the  watch-towers,  each  of  which  was 
consecrated  to  a  star.  There  for  a  while  I 
enjoyed  myself  in  the  zenith  of  glory  and 
pleasures.  Not  only  men,  but  supernatural 
existences  were  subject  also  to  my  will.  I 
9 


130  VATBEK. 

began  to  think,  as  these  unhappy  monarchs 
around  had  already  thought,  that  the  ven- 
geance of  heaven  was  asleep,  when  at  once  the 
thunder  burst  my  structures  asunder,  and 
precipitated  me  hither ;  where,  however,  I  do 
not  remain  like  the  other  inhabitants  totally 
destitute  of  hope,  for  an  angel  of  light  hath 
revealed,  that,  in  consideration  of  the  piety  of 
my  early  youth,  my  woes  shall  come  to  an  end 
when  this  cataract  shall  forever  cease  to  flow. 
Till  then  I  am  in  torments,  ineffable  torments ; 
an  unrelenting  fire  preys  on  my  heart." 

Having  uttered  this  exclamation,  Soliman 
raised  his  hands  towards  heaven,  in  token  of 
supplication,  and  the  Caliph  discerned  through 
his  bosom,  which  was  transparent  as  crystal, 
his  heart  enveloped  in  flames.  At  a  sight  so 
full  of  horror,  Nouronihar  fell  back  like  one 
petrified,  into  the  arms  of  Vathek,  who  cried 
out  with  a  convulsive  sob  : 

"  O  Giaour  !  whither  hast  thou  brought  us  ! 
Allow  us  to  depart,  and  I  will  relinquish  all 
thou  hast  promised.  0  Mahomet !  remains 
there  no  more  mercy  !  " 

"  None  !  none  !  "  replied  the  malicious  Dive» 

"  Know,  miserable  prince,  thou  art  now  in 
the  abode  of  vengeance,  and  despair.  Thy 
heart,  also,  will  be  kindled,  like  those  of  the 
other  votaries  of  Eblis.  A  few  days  are  allot- 
ted thee  previous  to  this  fatal  period  ;  employ 
them  as  thou  wilt.  Recline  on  these  heaps  of 
gold :  command  the  Infernal  Potentates :  range 
at  thy  pleasure  through  these  immense  subter- 
ranean domains.  No  barrier  shall  be  shut 
against  thee.  As  for  me,  I  have  fulfilled  my 
mission.     I  now  leave  thee  to  thyself." 

At  these  words  he  vanished. 

The  Caliph  and  Nouronihar  remained  in  the 
most  abject  affliction.  Their  tears  unable  to 
flow,  scarcely  could  they  support  themselves. 
At  length,  taking  each  other  despondingly  by 


VATHEK,  181 

tne  hand,  they  went  faltering  from  this  fatal 
hall,  indifferent  which  way  they  turned  their 
steps.  Every  portal  opened  at  their  approach. 
The  Dives  fell  prostrate  before  them.  Every 
reservoir  of  riches  was  disclosed  to  their  view, 
but  they  no  longer  felt  the  incentives  of  curi- 
osity, pride,  or  avarice.  With  like  apathy  they 
heard  the  chorus  of  Genii,  and  saw  the  stately 
banquets  prepared  to  regale  them.  They  went 
wandering  on  from  chamber  to  chamber,  hall 
to  hall,  and  gallery  to  gallery ;  all  without 
bounds  or  limit ;  all  distinguishable  by  the 
same  lowering  gloom ;  all  adorned  with  the 
same  awful  grandeur ;  all  traversed  by  persons 
in  search  of  repose  and  consolation,  but  who 
sought  them  in  vain,  for  every  one  carried 
within  him  a  heart  tormented  in  flames. 
Shunned  by  these  various  sufferers,  who  seemed 
by  their  looks  to  be  upbraiding  the  partners  of 
their  guilt,  they  withdrew  from  them,  to  wait 
in  direful  suspense  the  moment  which  should 
render  them  to  each  other  the  like  objects  of 
terror. 

*'  What,"  exclaimed  Nouronihar,  "  will  the 
time  come,  when  I  shall  snatch  my  hand  from 
thine!" 

"  Ah  !  "  said  Vathek,  "  and  shall  my  eyes 
ever  cease  to  drink  from  thine  long  draughts 
of  enjoyment !  Shall  the  moments  of  our  recip- 
rocal ecstasies  be  reflected  on  with  horror  !  It 
was  not  thou  that  broughtest  me  hither ;  the 
principles  by  which  Carathis  perverted  my 
youth  have  been  the  sole  cause  of  my  per- 
dition!" 

Having  given  vent  to  these  painful  expres- 
sions, he  called  to  an  Afrit,  who  was  stirring 
up  one  of  the  braziers,  and  bade  him  fetch  the 
Princess  Carathis  from  the  palace  of  Samarah. 
After  issuing  these  orders,  the  Caliph  and 
Nouronihar  continued  Avalking  amidst  the 
silent  crowd,  till  they  heard  voices  at  the  end 


132  VATUEK. 

of  the  gallery.  Presuming  them  to  proceed 
from  some  unhappy  beings,  who  like  them- 
selves were  awaiting  their  final  doom,  they 
followed  the  sound,  and  found  it  to  come  from 
a  small  square  chamber,  where  they  discovered 
sitting  on  sofas,  five  young  men  of  goodly 
figure,  and  a  lovely  female,  who  were  all  hold- 
ing a  melancholy  conversation,  by  the  glimmer- 
ing of  a  lonely  lamp.  Each  had  a  gloomy  and 
forlorn  air,  and  two  of  them  were  embracing 
each  other  with  great  tenderness.  On  seeing 
the  Caliph  and  the  daughter  of  Fakreddin 
enter  they  arose,  saluted,  and  gave  them  place. 
Then  he  who  had  appeared  the  most  consider- 
able of  the  group,  addressed  himself  thus  to 
Vathek: 

"  Strangers  !  who  doubtless  are  in  the  same 
state  of  suspense  as  ourselves,  as  you  do  not 
yet  bear  your  hand  on  your  heart,  if  you  are 
come  hither  to  pass  the  interval  allotted  pre- 
vious to  the  infliction  of  our  common  punish- 
ment, condescend  to  relate  the  adventures  tliat 
have  brought  you  to  this  fatal  place  ;  and  we 
in  return  will  acquaint  you  with  ours  ;  which 
deserve  but  too  well  to  be  heard.  We  will 
trace  back  our  crimes  to  their  source,  though 
we  are  not  permitted  to  repent.  This  is  the 
only  employment  suited  to  wTetches  like  us." 

The  Caliph  and  Nouronihar  assented  to  the 
proposal,  and  Vathek  began,  not  without  tears 
and  lamentations,  a  sincere  recital  of  every 
circumstance  that  had  passed.  When  the  af- 
flicting narrative  was  closed,  the  young  man 
entered  on  his  own.  Each  person  proceeded 
in  order,  and  when  the  fourth  prince  had  reached 
the  midst  of  his  adventures,  a  sudden  noise 
interrupted  him,  which  caused  the  vault  to 
tremble,  and  to  open. 

Immediately  a  cloud  descended,  which  grad- 
ually dissipating,  discovered  Carathis,  on  the 
back  of  an  Afrit,  who  grievously  complained 


VATHEK.  133 

of  his  burden.     She,  instantly  springing  to  the 
ground,  advanced  towards  her  son,  and  said : 

"  What  dost  thou  here,  in  this  little  square 
chamber?  As  the  Dives  are  become  subject 
to  thy  beck,  I  expected  to  have  found  thee  on 
the  throne  of  the  pre-Adamite  kings." 

"  Execrable  woman  !  "  answered  the  Caliph ; 
"  cursed  be  the  day  thou  gavest  me  birth  !  Go  ! 
follow  this  Afrit ;  let  him  conduct  thee  to  the 
hall  of  the  Prophet  Soliman  ;  there  thou  wilt 
learn  to  what  these  palaces  are  destined,  and 
how  much  I  ought  to  abhor  the  impious 
knowledge  thou  hast  taught  me.'* 

"  The  height  of  power  to  which  thou  art 
arrived  has  certainly  turned  thy  brain,"  an- 
swered Carathis ;  "  but  I  ask  no  more  than 
permission  to  show  my  respect  for  the  prophet. 
It  is,  however,  proper  thou  shouldst  know, 
that,  as  the  Afrit  has  informed  me  neither  of 
us  shall  return  to  Samarah,  I  requested  his 
permission  to  arrange  my  affairs,  and  he  politely 
consented.  Availing  myself,  therefore,  of  the 
few  moments  allowed  me,  I  set  fire  to  the 
.tower,  and  consumed  in  it  the  mutes,  negresses, 
and  serpents,  which  have  rendered  me  so 
much  good  service  ;  nor  should  I  have  been 
less  kind  to  Morakanabad,  had  he  not  pre- 
vented me,  by  deserting  at  last  to  thy  brother. 
As  for  Bababalouk,  who  had  the  folly  to  return 
to  Samarah,  and  all  the  good  brotherhood  to 
provide  husbands  for  thy  wives,  I  undoubtedly 
would  have  put  them  to  the  torture,  could  I 
but  have  alloAved  them  the  time.  Being, 
however,  in  a  hurry,  I  only  hung  him,  after 
having  caught  him  in  a  snare  with  thy  wives  ; 
whilst  them  I  buried  alive  by  the  help  of  my 
negresses,  who  thus  spent  their  last  moments, 
greatly  to  their  satisfaction.  With  respect 
to  Dilara,  who  ever  stood  high  in  my  favor, 
she  hath  evinced  the  greatness  of  her  mind, 
by  fixing  herself  near,  in  the  service  of  one 


134  VATEEK, 

of  the  Magi,  and,  I  think,  will  soon  be  our 
own." 

Vathek,  too  much  cast  down  to  express  the 
indignation  excited  by  such  a  discourse,  ordered 
the  Afrit  to  remove  Carathis  from  his  presence, 
and  continued  immersed  in  thought,  which 
his  companions  durst  not  disturb. 

Carathis,  however,  eagerly  entered  the  dome 
of  Soliman,  and,  without  regarding  in  the  least 
the  groans  of  the  Prophet,  undauntedly  re- 
moved the  covers  of  the  vases,  and  violently 
seized  on  the  talismans.  Then,  with  a  voice 
more  loud  than  had  hitherto  been  heard  in 
these  mansions,  she  compelled  the  Dives  to 
disclose  to  her  the  most  secret  treasures,  the 
most  profound  stores,  which  the  Afrit  himself 
had  not  seen.  She  passed  by  rapid  descents 
known  only  to  Eblis  and  his  most  favored 
Potentates,  and  thus  penetrated  the  very  en- 
trails of  the  earth,  where  breathes  the  Sansar, 
or  icy  wind  of  death.  Nothing  appalled  her 
dauntless  soul.  She  perceived,  however,  in  all 
the  inmates  who  bore  their  hands  on  their 
heart,  a  little  singularity  not  much  to  her  taste. 
As  she  was  emerging  from  one  of  the  abysses, 
Eblis  stood  forth  to  her  view,  but,  notwith- 
standing he  displayed  the  full  effulgence  of  his 
infernal  majesty,  she  preserved  her  counte- 
nance unaltered,  and  even  paid  her  compli- 
ments with  considerable  firmness. 

This  superb  monarch  thus  answered  : 

"  Princess,  whose  knowledge  and  whose 
crimes  have  merited  a  c^onspicuous  rank  in 
my  empire,  thou  doest  well  to  employ  the 
leisure  that  remains  ;  for  the  flames  and  tor- 
ments which  are  ready  to  seize  on  thy  heart 
will  not  fail  to  provide  thee  with  full  employ- 
ment." 

He  said  this,  and  was  lost  in  the  curtains  of 
his  tabernacle. 

Carathis  paused  for  a  moment  with  surprise, 


VATH^K.  135 

but,  resolved  to  follow  the  advice  of  Eblis,  she 
assembled  all  the  choirs  of  Genii,  and  all  the 
Dives,  to  pay  her  homage.  Thus  marched  she 
in  triumph  through  a  vapor  of  perfumes, 
amidst  the  acclamations  of  all  the  malignant 
spirits  ;  with  most  of  whom  she  had  formed  a 
previous  acquaintance.  She  even  attempted 
to  dethrone  one  of  the  Solimans,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  usurping  his  place,  when  a  voice,  pro- 
ceeding from  the  abyss  of  Death,  proclaimed : 

"  All  is  accomplished  ! " 

Instantaneously,  the  haughty  forehead  of 
the  intrepid  princess  became  corrugated  with 
agony ;  she  uttered  a  tremendous  yell,  and 
fixed — no  more  to  be  withdrawn — her  right 
liand  upon  her  heart,  which  was  become  a  re- 
ceptacle of  eternal  fire. 

In  this  delirium,  forgetting  all  ambitious 
projects,  and  her  thirst  for  that  knowledge 
which  should  ever  be  hidden  from  mortals, 
she  overturned  the  offerings  of  the  Genii,  and 
having  execrated  the  hour  she  was  begotten, 
and  the  womb  that  had  borne  her,  glanced  off 
in  a  whirl  that  rendered  her  invisible,  and  con- 
tinued to  revolve  without  intermissson. 

At  almost  the  same  instant,  the  same  voice 
announced  to  the  Caliph,  Nouronihar,  the  five 
princes,  and  the  princess,  the  awful  and  irre- 
vocable decree.  Their  hearts  immediately 
took  fire,  and  they  at  once  lost  the  most  pre- 
cious of  the  gifts  of  heaven, — hope.  These 
unhappy  beings  recoiled,  with  looks  of  the 
most  furious  distraction.  Vathek  beheld  in 
tlie  eyes  of  Nouronihar  nothing  but  rage  and 
vengeance  ;  nor  could  she  discern  aught  in  his 
but  aversion  and  despair.  The  two  princes 
who  were  friends,  and  till  that  moment  had 
preserved  the  attachment,  shrunk  back,  gnash- 
ing their  teeth  with  mutual  and  unchangeable 
liatred.  Kalilah  and  his  sister  made  reciprocal 
gestures  of  imprecation  ;  whilst  the  two  other 


136  VAm^K. 

princes  testified  their  horror  for  each  other  by 
the  most  ghastly  convulsions  and  screams  that 
could  not  be  smothered.  All  severally  plunged 
themselves  into  the  accursed  multitude,  there 
to  wander  in  an  eternity  of  unabating  anguish. 
Such  was,  and  such  should  be,  the  punish- 
ment of  unrestrained  passions,  and  atrocious 
actions.  Such  is,  and  such  should  be,  the 
chastisement  of  blind  ambition,  that  would 
transgress  those  bounds  which  the  Creator 
hath  prescribed  to  human  knowledge,  and  by 
aiming  at  discoveries  reserved  for  pure  intelli- 
gence, acquire  that  infatuated  pride,  which 
perceives  not  the  condition  appointed  in  man 

is,  TO  BE  IGNORANT  AND  HUMBLE. 

Thus  the  Caliph  Vathek  who,  for  the  sake 
of  empty  pomp  and  forbidden  power,  hath 
sullied  himself  with  a  thousand  crimes,  became 
a  prey  to  grief  without  end,  and  remorse  with- 
out mitigation  ;  whilst  the  humble  and  despised 
Gulchenrouz  passed  whole  ages  in  undis- 
turbed tranquillity,  and  the  pure  happiness  of 
childhood. 


r 


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